Before Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race, many feared violence, especially after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The Proud Boys, a group that has supported Trump in the past, played a central role that January 6. The group was “leading the on-the-ground efforts to storm the seat of government,” said Matthew M. Graves, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. “No organization put more boots on the ground.”
In the years since, several Proud Boys have been arrested for their roles in the capitol storming. One of them was Enrique Tarrio, based in Miami but a leader in the national group, who was sentenced to 22 years in jail last year. But the group nevertheless has continued to thrive.
In a recent conversation with Reuters, Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the nonprofit Global Project Against Hate and Extremism said she was surprised by the Proud Boys’ resilience.
“The amazing thing is that so many people from the Proud Boys can be in jail and yet you have these active chapters,” said Beirich. “Traditionally when the head of a neo-Nazi or white supremacist group goes to jail or dies, the organization will collapse, but that does not seem to be happening with the Proud Boys.”
The Vice City Proud Boys, the present Miami chapter of the group, is led by a figure who identifies himself only as “Lex.”
“For doxxing reasons, you will not get any personal information from me,” Lex said in a recent interview.
Lex spoke with Caplin News four times over the last month about the election. He described his upbringing and the group’s actions and evolution over the last three years including protests against mask mandates, critical race theory and LGBTQ discussions in schools. He also described how Tarrio has been disowned and what the future holds for the Proud Boys.
How did you grow up?
I grew up Republican with a successful father who paved the way for my beliefs. I am a constitutionalist and more libertarian than Republican. I believe in upholding the constitution that our forefathers set for us. Liberty, freedom and justice for all.
Why did you join the Proud Boys?
I was tired of sitting on the sidelines; I wanted to help on a local level. Violence doesn’t follow the Proud Boys. The media portrays us in a negative manner because anyone that opposes or sits on the opposite side of the isle of the left, is labeled for not supporting their views. Violence follows Antifa because their entire premise is chaos, anarchy and the lack of law and order.
You were not present on January 6. What did you think of the Capitol storming?
Everyone has the right to protest and be on public land. There is plenty of evidence available that points to the Feds instigating the crowd, like shooting rubber pellets at unarmed citizens. There were undercover assets pretending to be patriots to lead the crowd into the Capitol and entrap them.
Do I agree with the ones who destroyed or broke windows to enter? Absolutely not. Just like any other large group of people, you will always have a few bad apples.
You joined the Proud Boys during the 2020 election? What protests have you attended since then?
We peacefully protested the school board on several occasions over the last 4 years when votes came to the table on the mask mandates for kids, critical race theory and the push of sexual discussion to kids on LGBTQ beliefs.
What are your thoughts about Tarrio?
Enrique Tarrio is well known as a prolific informant. My chapter disavowed him for various reasons but without going into club business, I can tell you that he was kicked out because he was no longer Proud Boy material.
Are the Proud Boys tied to Trump?
The Proud Boys are not tied to anyone but ourselves. We are an autonomous chapter that serves our local community.
Now that Trump is the president-elect, what’s next for the Vice-City Proud Boys?
Now, we continue to work and focus on getting our brothers out of prison sooner than later.
