Former Proud Boys Leader Testifies in Defense of Officer Accused of Aiding Him

Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, appeared in court on Thursday for the first time since he was sentenced for his role in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, testifying in defense of a police officer accused of improperly feeding him sensitive information.

Mr. Tarrio was on the witness stand for over two hours. His testimony was largely focused on whether the Washington police officer, Lt. Shane Lamond, had given him advance warning that he was going to be arrested when he flew to Washington in early January 2021 for a pro-Trump rally that turned into the attack on the Capitol.

Even though it was relatively brief, Mr. Tarrio’s return to Federal District Court in Washington, where he and three of his lieutenants were convicted last year of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Capitol attack, was a legal spectacle of sorts.

At one point, Mr. Tarrio, who is serving a 22-year prison term, sparred with the judge presiding over the trial, Amy Berman Jackson, refusing to acknowledge that text messages between him and Mr. Lamond were authentic. At another, he refused to answer questions, attempting to assert his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, until Judge Jackson paused the proceedings to discuss how to proceed if he stonewalled prosecutors’ questions.

When Mr. Tarrio returned to the stand, Judge Jackson told him that by agreeing to appear in court, he had effectively waived any Fifth Amendment protections — a legal finding he took issue with.

“I cannot tell you I won’t take my Fifth Amendment right when I see fit,” Mr. Tarrio said.

“Well, as I see fit,” Judge Jackson responded, “it may involve striking your testimony. It may involve contempt. It may involve a lot of things.”