As we continue to observe the adjudication of the events of January 6th, 2021, a few central themes have emerged within these trials.
First and foremost among them is self-preservation, which looks a lot like watching folks try to throw former President Donald Trump under the bus.
Former President Donald Trump was responsible for the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, a lawyer representing Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio argued in a high-profile trial on Thursday.
“Trump told these people that the election was stolen. Trump told them to go there on January 6,” attorney Sabino Jauregui told jurors in federal district court in Washington, DC during his opening statement. “And it was Trump, with his speech on January 6, that unleashed this mob on the Capitol.”
Tarrio is facing serious charges.
The Justice Department has charged Tarrio with seditious conspiracy, alleging that under his leadership, members of the Proud Boys stormed the Capitol on January 6 to stop Congress from certifying then-President-elect Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. Tarrio is on trial along with four other Proud Boys members: Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, each of whom have pleaded not guilty.
Blaming Trump appeared to be a central theme of the defense.
Tarrio’s lawyer noted the line in court on Thursday, saying Trump was “the one that told them march over to the Capitol and fight like hell.”
“Enrique didn’t say that,” Jauregui told jurors. “Enrique didn’t say anything to anybody on the grounds of the Capitol on January 6, but he just happens to be the leader of the Proud Boys.”
Several other J6 defendants have attempted to play the blame card on Trump, but have been roundly rebuked by their respective judges.
