Proud Boys charged with conspiracy to impede Congress during Capitol riot

Four members of the Proud Boys have been indicted on charges of attempting to impede Congress from confirming the results of the 2020 presidential election, Reuters reports.

The indictment also alleges that the men attempted to acquire paramilitary equipment prior to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, and dismantled barriers surrounding the Capitol building.

The four men, Ethan Nordean of Washington, Joseph Biggs of Florida, Zachary Rehl of Pennsylvania, and Charles Donohoe of North Carolina, are leaders of Proud Boys chapters in all of their respective states, court documents allege.

They were also accused of encouraging other Proud Boys members to attend the and disrupt the events of Jan. 6 in Washington, DC.

The indictment cites prior social media activity by some of the members, with Biggs in particular threatening war if the election was not won by then-President Donald Trump back in November. Later that month, Nordean had stated "you will deal with the monster you created."

On Jan. 6, following a rally for outgoing President Donald Trump, some supporters of the president went to the Capitol with the intention of disrupting the Congressional vote to certify the results of the Electoral College for incoming President Joe Biden. The rioters did interrupt the vote, which was conducted once they had been cleared from the Capitol and the building secured.

Five people died as a result of the riot. One unarmed woman, Ashli Babbit was shot and killed by Capitol Police, while three people died due to medical incidents. Officer Brian D. Sicknick was assaulted during the encounter with bear spray, and later died. The cause of death is still unknown, though two alleged assailants have been arrested and charged with assault.