Although they mobilized in some cases in support of Trump before the 2024 elections, overall it was quite dullespecially compared to 2020. This led to speculation that the gang was on its last legs.
Then on Monday, as Trump was taking the oath of office, more than 100 uniformed Proud Boys marched through the streets of Washington, D.C., led by their South Florida chapter.
It was a striking scene, one that seemed intended to send a clear message: “We’re back.”
Since January 6, 2021, the far right has perceived DC as a no-go zone for Trump supporters of all stripes. But on Monday the Proud Boys chanted “Whose streets are our streets.” They received a hero’s welcome from other Trump supporters in the crowd, as seen in video recorded by independent journalist Ford Fischer.
On Tuesday, when bureaucratic problems delayed the release of about a dozen January 6 members from the D.C. jail, protesters gathered outside. Among them were at least four uniformed Proud Boys. Although three of them had their faces covered, they wandered around without any concern for the stigma of the others present. Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes, whose 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy was commuted by Trump, also appeared out of jail, having walked free from a federal prison in Maryland the night before.
One of the Proud Boys present spoke at the impromptu rally outside the jail, identifying himself as “Harry Fox.” (This was the same name other Proud Boys had given to reporters on inauguration day.)
“Donald Trump is back, baby. “He’s back and he’s stronger than ever,” he said into the microphone. “I am very proud of what American citizens did that day,” he added, referring to January 6, “to finally rise up after decades of being abused and oppressed by an authoritarian regime.”
He ended his speech with the Proud Boys slogan: “I am a Western chauvinist and I will not apologize for creating the modern world.” The crowd applauded.
Tarrio, in his phone call to Jones on Tuesday, made clear that he sees the Proud Boys’ role as no different than it was four years ago: He sees them as the foot soldiers and muscle of the Republican Party. “I think the future of the club will be the same as always,” Tarrio said. “A group of men who love America, move around and drink beer and protect Trump supporters from being attacked… We will defend ourselves and Trump supporters from being attacked for their political opinions.”
He suggested he feels vindicated by Trump’s election victory and his decision to pardon nearly everyone involved in the Jan. 6 riot. “We went through hell and I’ll tell you, it was worth it,” Tarrio told Jones. “What we defended and what those guys represented is what we have been fighting for, it is what we saw yesterday on the inauguration stage… I can’t tell you that it has been easy. But I will tell you that it was worth it.”