Former Proud Boys leader convicted of orchestrating plot to attack US Capitol on 6 January 2021
Former leader of far-right group the Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio has been convicted of orchestrating a plot to attack the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
The attack led to members of the group storming the building after Joe Biden was officially confirmed as the next president.
Tarrio, along with three other members of the group, were found guilty of seditious conspiracy – which is conspiring against the legitimacy of the state.
During the election campaign, Donald Trump spoke directly to the Proud Boys, known as a militant, gun-carrying group, telling them to “stand back and stand by”.
The charges carry up to 20 years in prison.
In a big milestone, it means the US Justice Department has now secured seditious conspiracy convictions against leaders of two right-wing groups, the other being the Oath Keepers, who were said to be doing everything they could to keep Joe Biden out of the White House.
Tarrio was not in Washington DC on the day of the attack – he had been arrested two days before and ordered to leave the city.
However, prosecutors said he led and orchestrated proceedings carried out by his group, which saw itself as “Trump’s Army”, on 6 January.
The Proud Boys were “lined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf”, prosecutor Conor Mulroe said in his closing arguments during the trial.
Prosecutors used hundreds of messages between members of the group in evidence that showed the Proud Boys peddling conspiracy theories and misinformation about the notion of a “stolen election”, and what might happen when Joe Biden took office.
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‘Capitol riots could happen again’
Read more on the Capitol Riots:
Republicans blast Fox News host for calling Capitol riots ‘peaceful gathering’
Donald Trump engaged in ‘multi-part conspiracy’ to overturn lawful 2020 presidential election result, Jan 6 panel final report states
Violence could be repeated again warns officer responsible for security on 6 January
In one social message, Tarrio wrote while the attack was ongoing: “Do what must be done.”
He later said in a group chat for his members to “do it again” and “make no mistake, we did this”.
The defence said there was no plot to attack the Capitol, or prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s win, with an attorney for Tarrio even trying to blame Trump, saying he himself incited the riots.
“It was Donald Trump’s words. It was his motivation. It was his anger that caused what occurred on January 6th in your beautiful and amazing city,” attorney Nayib Hassan said in his final appeal to jurors.
“It was not Enrique Tarrio. They want to use Enrique Tarrio as a scapegoat for Donald J Trump and those in power.”
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Who were the Capitol rioters?
Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola were the other members also convicted, some of which led chapters of the Proud Boys in other states.
In recent weeks, it was reported former vice president Mike Pence gave testimony to the committee set up to investigate the riots, apparently giving seven hours of evidence.
Mr Pence was tasked with certifying the 2020 election result in Congress, and was reportedly pressed by Trump to ignore the result.
There were images and videos during the riots of people calling for the death of Mr Pence after he confirmed the election result.
The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.
The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.
Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.
The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.
He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.
Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.
He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.
For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.
Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.
In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.
Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.
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At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.
Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.
Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”
Pic: AP
The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.
The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.
“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”
Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.
Pic: AP
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.
“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.
Pic: AP
At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.
Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
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