• Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
    Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
  • A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
    A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
  • The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
    The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
  • Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
    Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
  • Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
    Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
  • US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
    US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
  • Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
    Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
  • Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
    Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
    Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
  • Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
    Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
  • Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
    Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
  • Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters
    Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

Proud Boys charged with sedition for US Capitol attack


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A leader of the Proud Boys and four other members of the far-right group were indicted on sedition charges on Monday in connection with the January 6 assault on the US Capitol.

Henry "Enrique" Tarrio is already facing other charges related to the failed attempt by supporters of former president Donald Trump to block Joe Biden's election victory.

A superseding indictment unveiled on Monday added the more serious charge of seditious conspiracy to the charges against Mr Tarrio, the former "national chairman" of the Proud Boys, and the four other members.

Mr Tarrio was arrested in Miami in March and is also charged with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of law enforcement, destruction of government property and other offences.

More than 800 people have been arrested in connection with the storming of Congress by Trump supporters, the Justice Department said, but only a handful face the charge of seditious conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Stewart Rhodes, founder of another far-right organisation, the Oath Keepers, has been charged with seditious conspiracy along with 10 other members of the group.

Three members of the Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty.

The superseding indictment said Mr Tarrio was not in Washington on January 6 but he met Mr Rhodes on January 5 in an underground car park in the city, and was in contact with members of the Proud Boys who breached the Capitol.

The four other members of the Proud Boys — Dominic Pezzola, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zachary Rehl — were charged with seditious conspiracy as well as their previous charges.

The indictment comes three days before a public hearing by the House select committee investigating the storming of the US Capitol.

  • Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House select committee to investigate the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, leads a meeting on Capitol Hill. Bloomberg
    Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House select committee to investigate the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, leads a meeting on Capitol Hill. Bloomberg
  • Jamie Raskin and Liz Cheney in discussion. The committee has bene set up to investigate what was behind more than 2,000 supporters of Donald Trump storming the Capitol Building in Washington. Bloomberg
    Jamie Raskin and Liz Cheney in discussion. The committee has bene set up to investigate what was behind more than 2,000 supporters of Donald Trump storming the Capitol Building in Washington. Bloomberg
  • The Trump supporters were answering his call to 'fight like hell' to stop Congress from validating Joe Biden’s presidential victory. EPA
    The Trump supporters were answering his call to 'fight like hell' to stop Congress from validating Joe Biden’s presidential victory. EPA
  • Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson and Jamie Raskin consider a report at a meeting. EPA
    Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson and Jamie Raskin consider a report at a meeting. EPA
  • Jamie Raskin alongside Elaine Luria. AFP
    Jamie Raskin alongside Elaine Luria. AFP
  • Zoe Lofgren speaks alongside Adam Schiff at the committee meeting. AFP
    Zoe Lofgren speaks alongside Adam Schiff at the committee meeting. AFP
  • Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were censured by their party for involvement in the committee probe. AFP
    Republicans Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were censured by their party for involvement in the committee probe. AFP
  • Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary under former president Donald Trump, leaves after a meeting with the January 6 Committee. Reuters
    Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary under former president Donald Trump, leaves after a meeting with the January 6 Committee. Reuters
  • Roger Stone, a former adviser and confidante to former president Donald Trump, arrives in Washington. AFP
    Roger Stone, a former adviser and confidante to former president Donald Trump, arrives in Washington. AFP
  • Former White House chief strategist in the Trump administration Steve Bannon surrendered to authorities after being indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for defying the January 6 Committee. EPA
    Former White House chief strategist in the Trump administration Steve Bannon surrendered to authorities after being indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for defying the January 6 Committee. EPA

The committee is trying to see if Mr Trump or members of his circle had a role in planning or encouraging the violent attack, and has subpoenaed his advisers and aides.

The assault on the Capitol left at least five people dead and 140 police officers injured, and followed a fiery speech by Mr Trump to thousands of his supporters near the White House.

He was impeached for a historic second time by the House after the Capitol riot — he was charged with inciting an insurrection — but was acquitted by the Senate, where only seven members of his own Republican party voted against him.

Updated: June 06, 2022, 10:23 PM