Joe Biggs, a prominent figure in the Proud Boys, is seeking a pardon from President-elect Trump after being convicted of seditious conspiracy for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Biggs, a former correspondent for the far-right site “InfoWars,” is currently serving a 17-year prison sentence following his conviction on sedition and other charges. His attorney, Norm Pattis, has drafted a letter requesting clemency, though it has yet to be sent.
In the letter, Pattis congratulated Trump on his re-election and urged him to address what he called a “painful chapter” in American history. He wrote, “On behalf of Joseph Biggs, I am urging you to do so by granting Mr. Biggs’ request for a complete pardon for his actions on that day.”
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Biggs’ request follows the intentions of other January 6 rioters to seek pardons, including former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. Both men were convicted of sedition and are serving lengthy sentences.
During his campaign, Trump promised to “rapidly review” the cases of January 6 defendants and to sign their pardons on his first day in office if re-elected. It remains uncertain whether he will pardon all, some, or none of the over 1,500 rioters charged for their roles in the attack.
Pattis described Trump as someone familiar with politically motivated prosecutions and argued that Biggs had been similarly targeted. He drew comparisons to the Civil War era, suggesting that granting Biggs a pardon would “close the book” on January 6, much like how clemency was extended to Confederate supporters in the past.
“These are divisive times,” Pattis wrote, referencing the widespread belief in 2020 that the election was stolen and the ongoing mistrust of electoral integrity. He continued, saying a pardon for Biggs would help heal the division and inspire confidence in the future.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Biggs had led the Proud Boys to the Capitol and communicated with the first rioter to breach the police barricades minutes before the action took place. They recommended a 33-year sentence for Biggs, but U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly opted for a lesser sentence, applying a terrorism enhancement to Biggs’s guidelines instead.
Pattis, who represented Biggs during the trial and continues to handle his appeal, indicated in his letter that he plans to seek pardons for two of Biggs’ co-defendants, Proud Boys members Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.
