Fact Check: "Tarrio's organization is not affiliated with the U.S. government."
What We Know
Enrique Tarrio is known as the former national chairman of the Proud Boys, a far-right organization that has been involved in various violent incidents and political protests in the United States. Tarrio himself has a controversial background, including a conviction for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack (Wikipedia).
While Tarrio has been linked to law enforcement in the past, particularly as an informant from 2012 to 2014, this does not imply that the Proud Boys or Tarrio's current activities are affiliated with the U.S. government. His role as an informant was related to past criminal investigations, and there is no evidence to suggest that the Proud Boys operate under any government authority or support (AP News).
Additionally, Tarrio served as the Florida state director for Latinos for Trump, a grassroots organization that is described as unaffiliated with the Trump campaign itself (New York Times). This further emphasizes the independence of Tarrio's organization from any government entity.
Analysis
The claim that "Tarrio's organization is not affiliated with the U.S. government" holds true based on the available evidence. The Proud Boys, under Tarrio's leadership, have been characterized as a neo-fascist group that promotes political violence, which stands in stark contrast to any notion of being affiliated with government operations (Wikipedia).
While Tarrio's past as an informant raises questions about his relationship with law enforcement, it is crucial to differentiate between individual cooperation with law enforcement and organizational affiliation with the government. His informant status does not translate to the Proud Boys being a government entity or operating with government approval (AP News).
Moreover, the nature of the Proud Boys as a militant organization that has been involved in various violent protests further supports the assertion that they operate independently of government oversight or affiliation. The Anti-Defamation League has classified the group as engaging in misogynistic, Islamophobic, and anti-immigration activities, which are not aligned with governmental objectives (Wikipedia).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Tarrio's organization is not affiliated with the U.S. government" is accurate. The Proud Boys operate independently and are characterized as a far-right militant group, with no formal ties to government entities. While Tarrio has a history of cooperating with law enforcement, this does not imply any current affiliation of the Proud Boys with the U.S. government.
Sources
- Enrique Tarrio - Wikipedia
- ENRIQUE TARRIO FOR CONGRESS - committee overview
- District of Columbia - United States Department of Justice
- Proud Boys leader was government informant, records show
- The Florida director of a pro-Trump Latino group is the chairman of the Proud Boys
- Proud Boys - Wikipedia
- Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio plans to run for office