The Facts
Former leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, has been jailed for 22 years for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the US Capitol — just one of more than 1.1K cases concerning the protests of the 2020 election.
His sentence currently sits as the longest one served in relation to the event, although prosecutors had asked US District Judge Timothy Kelly to sentence Tarrio to 33 years in prison.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
While the demise of the Proud Boys is a necessary victory for democracy and the rule of law, more must be done to protect the integral pillars of American society. The sentencing of white supremacists and far-right actors isn't enough to suppress their resurgence, and structural responses to ensure that such a domestic terror event doesn't happen again have so far not been implemented. Consequently, the US currently stands at a vital crossroads as the 2024 presidential election looms ever closer.
Republican narrative
It's unconscionable that a political protester who wasn't even in the physical location of a riot can get 22 years in prison while the average murderer gets sentenced to only 20 years. The weaponized Dept. of Justice is resolved on sending a message to anyone who dares to step out of line and challenge the system, even if that means redefining terms like terrorism and sedition. With the media in lockstep, a distorted narrative about the events of Jan. 6 is being pushed.
