Convicted Proud Boys Leader Appeals to Trump for Pardon

Joseph Biggs, a convicted Proud Boys leader, seeks pardon from President-elect Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.

At a Glance

Joseph Biggs, a Proud Boys leader, is serving a 17-year sentence for seditious conspiracy in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Biggs is the first among convicted Proud Boys to formally request a complete pardon from President-elect Trump.
His attorney argues that pardoning Biggs would foster national reconciliation.
Trump has indicated support for pardoning January 6 defendants but hasn’t established a formal policy to that end.
Many January 6 defendants are seeking to delay hearings, hoping for potential pardons after Trump’s inauguration.

Biggs’s Conviction and Pardon Request

Joseph Biggs, a prominent figure within the Proud Boys organization, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Biggs was convicted of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge leveled against participants in the riot. As the first among dozens of convicted Proud Boys members to formally seek a pardon, Biggs’s case has drawn significant attention.

Biggs’s attorney, Norm Pattis, has petitioned President-elect Donald Trump for a pardon, arguing that his client’s imprisonment sends a chilling message about free speech and protest rights in America. The pardon request comes as Trump faces mounting pressure to address the anticipated influx of pardon applications related to the Capitol riots.

Just in: Lawyers for Joe Biggs, the Proud Boys leader sentenced to 17 years in prison on a seditious conspiracy conviction stemming from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, has formally asked Trump for a pardon. pic.twitter.com/yLcwI96ZL2

— Alan Feuer (@alanfeuer) November 13, 2024

The Case for Clemency

Pattis contends that pardoning Biggs would help heal national divisions and restore confidence in the country’s future. In his appeal to Trump, Pattis drew parallels between the potential pardon and historical precedents such as the post-Civil War clemency for Confederate supporters. This argument aims to frame the clemency request within a broader context of national reconciliation.

“The notion that Mr. Biggs is some sort of domestic terrorist that should sit behind bars for 17 years is a chilling message to everyone, And that is you ought not to write patriotic hyperbole and then attend a protest, because if you do, an ambitious prosecutor is going to turn your words into circumstantial evidence of intent to commit a crime. And that’s just un-American.” – Norm Pattis

Biggs himself has expressed confidence in receiving a pardon, citing Trump’s vocal support for January 6 defendants. During his sentencing, Biggs expressed a desire to change and focus on his family, distancing himself from extremist groups. This apparent shift in stance could potentially factor into considerations for a pardon.

Implications for Other January 6 Defendants

The pardon request from Biggs is not an isolated incident. Many January 6 defendants are seeking to delay their hearings until after Trump’s inauguration, hoping for potential pardons. This trend has led to a complex legal situation, with the Justice Department opposing these delays on the grounds that expectations of a pardon are speculative.

Other high-ranking Proud Boys members, including former chairman Enrique Tarrio, also plan to seek pardons from Trump. This collective push for clemency underscores the significant role that pardons could play in the aftermath of the January 6 trials and convictions.

Trump’s Approach to Pardons

While Trump has promised to pardon many of those charged in connection with the Capitol attack, he has not yet established a formal clemency policy. Supporters of the rioters are urging Trump to create a systematic approach to handle pardon requests, aiming to avoid overwhelming his administration with individual appeals.

As the situation develops, the handling of these clemency requests will likely become a significant focus of Trump’s early days in office, should he be elected. The decisions made regarding pardons for January 6 defendants could have far-reaching implications for national unity, the justice system, and the political landscape.