Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is speaking out after a Washington D.C. judge ruled that the far-right group’s name, logo, and insignia now legally belong to a historically Black church they vandalized in 2020.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Tarrio, who was recently pardoned by Trump from his 22-year sentence for directing the Jan. 6 insurrection—compared the church’s legal battle to “Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites” and called for the church’s nonprofit status to be revoked.
“This organization, masquerading as a church, must be subjected to a thorough audit, and its nonprofit status revoked immediately,” Tarrio wrote, accusing the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church of engaging in “a campaign of harassment and falsehoods.” He also attacked Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier, calling for her impeachment and alleging that she denied him and other defendants due process.
My full quote to @nytimes
“As a follower of Jesus Christ, I see disturbing parallels between this church’s actions toward the individuals and families involved and the Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites in the story of Moses. This church has engaged in a campaign of… https://t.co/qtI75Us9r2
— Enrique Tarrio (@NobleOne) February 4, 2025
The ruling comes after the Proud Boys failed to pay the church a $2.8 million judgment for damages stemming from the group’s attack on Metropolitan AME Church during Black Lives Matter protests in Washington D.C. following the 2020 presidential election.
In response, Judge Bosier ruled that the church now has full legal ownership of the Proud Boys’ name and trademark. This means the group can no longer use its name, logo, or insignia without the church’s permission—effectively stripping them of their brand identity.
The lawsuit was filed after Proud Boys members tore down and burned the church’s Black Lives Matter sign in December 2020. The incident was widely condemned as a racist attack, and the church pursued legal action against the group.
After failing to collect the $2.8 million judgment, the church’s legal team sought a different form of restitution: ownership of the Proud Boys’ name. Judge Bosier agreed, delivering a major legal and symbolic blow to the extremist organization.
Tarrio, who led the Proud Boys during the attack, remains defiant despite the ruling. In his post, he warned of “retribution” and claimed that, despite being “unjustly confined,” his faith in Jesus Christ has set him free.
“I fear NOTHING. With God as my strength and guide, I stand firm,” he declared, quoting Isaiah 54:17.
With the church now owning the Proud Boys’ branding, the far-right group faces significant legal challenges if they attempt to operate under the same name. Any use of the name, logo, or insignia without the church’s approval could result in further legal action.
