Mom of convicted ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio urges Trump for pardon
MIAMI - The mother of the former chairman of far-right group Proud Boys, sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to pardon her son.
Zuny Duarte told CBS News Miami that she believes her son, Enrique Tarrio, a Miami native, has been made a scapegoat for the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
"I don't think anyone who is realistic doubts that the government is using his face, his organization, and his position as chairman of the Proud Boys," Duarte said.
Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his involvement in planning the attack on the Capitol. Though he was not physically present that day, prosecutors argued that Tarrio organized the assault from outside Washington, D.C. In September 2023, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison, the longest term given to any Jan. 6 defendant.
President-elect Trump has vowed to grant clemency to some supporters charged in connection with the riot but has not clarified how many of the more than 1,580 individuals charged might be pardoned.
Tarrio's family made their plea public in a letter addressed to Trump and released on Jan. 6.
"We thought it was a good idea to make the letter public on the anniversary of the Capitol attack, asking President Trump to please pardon my son, Enrique Tarrio," Duarte said.
During an interview with CBS News Miami, Duarte expressed confidence in Trump's promise.
"As a mother, I am extremely confident, and as an American citizen, I am extremely confident that President Trump will keep his word," she said.
During the interview, Tarrio called his mother from prison in Louisiana. When CBS Miami asked if he would lose faith in Trump should a pardon not come, Duarte relayed her son's response.
"He never loses faith in Trump. That's his candidate and his president," Duarte said.
The Trump transition team has not yet commented on Tarrio's request. Trump has said he plans to issue pardons shortly after being sworn into office on Jan. 20.
