Who Are Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio—and Why Are They So Dangerous?

 In recent years, two names have stood out when talking about violent political extremism in the U.S.: Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, and Enrique Tarrio, former chairman of the Proud Boys. Both played major roles in organizing, encouraging, and escalating political violence—especially around the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack—and they remain symbols of the growing threat of far-right extremism. Though neither was an official part of Donald Trump's team, their actions and beliefs were deeply tied to Trump’s rhetoric, false election claims, and political movement.


Elmer Stewart Rhodes is a Yale Law School graduate and former U.S. Army paratrooper who founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. The group claims to defend the Constitution but often promotes anti-government conspiracy theories. Rhodes built the Oath Keepers by recruiting former military, police, and first responders, urging them to disobey what he called “unconstitutional” orders—especially involving gun control or martial law (SPLC).


He became nationally known for his role in the January 6 insurrection. Rhodes coordinated with Oath Keepers around the country to bring weapons and tactical gear to D.C. He didn’t storm the Capitol himself, but he stood nearby, communicating with members who did. In 2022, Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy, one of the most serious federal charges for trying to overthrow the government (NYT, DOJ).


Rhodes is dangerous because he militarized political extremism. He didn’t just post angry rants—he trained people for combat, coordinated logistics for armed actions, and positioned his group as a shadow army ready to back Trump or resist the federal government.


He pushed lies about the 2020 election being stolen and portrayed Trump as the last hope for the Constitution. At one point, Rhodes urged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act and use the military to stay in power (NPR). Even though Trump didn’t act on that, Rhodes’ words inspired real violence.


Enrique Tarrio is the former national chairman of the Proud Boys, a far-right group that promotes political violence, anti-left extremism, and street-level brawls. Unlike the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys don’t pretend to be constitutional defenders—they’re openly aggressive and have ties to white nationalism, even though Tarrio himself is Afro-Cuban.


Tarrio wasn’t physically present at the Capitol on January 6—he had been arrested two days earlier in D.C. for burning a Black Lives Matter banner—but he was still deeply involved in planning and directing the Proud Boys’ actions during the insurrection. In 2023, he was also convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison, one of the longest sentences related to January 6 (CBS News).


Tarrio is dangerous because he turned the Proud Boys into an organized political gang. Under his leadership, the group went from internet trolls to real-world fighters. They wore uniforms, coordinated attacks at protests, and used violence to intimidate opponents. Tarrio helped spread Trump's lies about the 2020 election, claiming that the system was rigged and that violence might be necessary to "take the country back."


He also used his group to amplify Trump’s messaging and carry it into the streets. Even after his arrest, he kept in contact with members and continued to inspire violence from afar.


While Trump didn’t officially direct either man, his language and actions empowered both Rhodes and Tarrio. They believed they were carrying out Trump’s wishes—especially on January 6.


Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during a 2020 debate (CNN), which many took as a green light.


Both the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were heavily involved in pushing the “Stop the Steal” movement.


After January 6, neither Rhodes nor Tarrio expressed regret—they claimed to be patriots defending Trump and the country.


When Trump returned to office in 2025, he reportedly pardoned or commuted the sentences of multiple Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, raising fears that he was legitimizing violent extremism (The Guardian, 2025).



Sources: 


Feuer, Alan. “Oath Keepers Leader Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy in Jan. 6 Attack.” The New York Times, 29 Nov. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/us/stewart-rhodes-seditious-conspiracy.html.


Southern Poverty Law Center. “Oath Keepers.” SPLC, www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/oath-keepers. Accessed 11 June 2025.


Anti-Defamation League. “Proud Boys: Backgrounder.” ADL, www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/proud-boys. Accessed 11 June 2025.


Arkin, Daniel. “Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Sentenced to 22 Years in Jan. 6 Sedition Case.” NBC News, 5 Sept. 2023, www.nbcnews.com.


Johnson, Carrie. “Stewart Rhodes Urged Trump to Use Military to Stay in Power.” NPR, 15 Dec. 2021, www.npr.org.


CNN Politics Staff. “Trump Says ‘Stand Back and Stand By’ to Proud Boys.” CNN, 30 Sept. 2020, www.cnn.com.


Fang, Marina. “Trump Pardons Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.” The Guardian, 20 Jan. 2025, www.theguardian.com.

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