While they rallied sporadically in support of Trump in the run-up to the 2024 election, their overall engagement was quite subdued compared to 2020, leading to speculation about the fading significance of the group.
On Monday, however, as Trump was being sworn in, over 100 Proud Boys in uniform marched through the streets of Washington, DC, prominently led by their South Florida chapter.
The scene was striking—clearly designed to convey a definitive message: “We’re back.”
Since January 6, 2021, Washington, DC, has been regarded by the far-right as a no-go area for Trump supporters across the board. Yet on Monday, the Proud Boys shouted, “Whose streets—our streets.” They were greeted with enthusiasm by other Trump supporters present, as captured on video by freelance journalist Ford Fischer.
On Tuesday, as bureaucratic delays hindered the release of approximately a dozen individuals connected to January 6 from the DC jail, protesters gathered outside. Among them were at least four Proud Boys in uniform. Although three had their faces obscured, they displayed little concern about the public stigma from those around them. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, whose 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy was commuted by Trump, also made an appearance outside the jail after being released from a federal prison in Maryland the night before.
One Proud Boy at the impromptu rally identified himself as “Harry Fox,” the same name used by other Proud Boys when speaking to reporters on Inauguration Day.
“Donald Trump is back, baby. He is back, and he is stronger than ever,” he announced over the microphone. “I’m incredibly proud of what the American people did that day,” he remarked regarding January 6, “for finally standing up after years of being mistreated and oppressed by an authoritarian regime.”
He concluded his speech with the Proud Boys slogan: “I am a Western chauvinist, and I will not apologize for creating the modern world.” The crowd responded with cheers.
In a phone conversation with Jones on Tuesday, Tarrio asserted that he views the role of the Proud Boys as unchanged from four years ago—considering them the loyal foot soldiers and enforcers of the GOP. “I believe the future of the club will be as it has always been,” Tarrio stated. “A bunch of men who love America, gathering to enjoy a beer and defend Trump supporters against assaults … We will protect ourselves and Trump supporters from attacks based on their political views.”
He expressed that he feels justified by Trump’s electoral win and the pardoning of nearly all those involved in the January 6 incident. “We endured a lot, and I can tell you: It was worth it,” Tarrio told Jones. “What we stood for, and what those guys stood for, is what we’ve been fighting for, and what we witnessed yesterday on the inauguration stage … I can’t say it has been easy, but I can definitely say it has been worth it.”
