On the airport tarmac in Wilmington, North Carolina, as vendors peddled memorabilia emblazoned with former President Donald Trump’s likeness and political slogans, an unexpected group made its presence known. At least ten men, donning the Proud Boys, a group with a history of violence and deep ties to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, were spotted circulating among rally-goers.
Their appearance, complete with signage that read “Free All of the J6 Prisoners,” immediately drew sharp criticism from President Joe Biden’s campaign. Biden’s spokesman, Ammar Moussa, issued a statement condemning the former president for his role in inflaming tensions and encouraging extremist groups. Moussa said, “When Trump told his supporters to ‘stop the steal,’ they attacked the Capitol, violently assaulted police officers, and tried to overturn an election. Now they’re back, standing by once again as Trump threatens of a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses in November. This is Donald Trump’s America: where white nationalists and violent far-right extremists are empowered and working families are left behind.”
The Trump campaign’s response to inquiries about the Proud Boys’ presence was dismissive, with senior adviser Chris LaCivita retorting, “We don’t comment on stupid.”
It remains unclear whether the men who identified themselves as Proud Boys entered the rally, which was eventually called off due to severe weather. A Washington Post reporter did not witness them inside the event, and a county sheriff’s deputy on the scene acknowledged their presence but provided no further details.
The group’s appearance at the rally comes at a time when Trump has repeatedly expressed his intent to pardon individuals charged in relation to the January 6 Capitol breach, although he has not specified who among the more than 1,000 charged would receive such clemency. He has gone as far as to glorify the defendants, referring to them as “patriots” and “hostages,” and incorporating recordings of them at his rallies.
Trump’s history with the Proud Boys has been notably contentious. During a presidential debate in 2020, he told the group to “stand back and stand by,” a remark that members celebrated on social media as a tacit endorsement.
The event itself was to mark Trump’s first major public address since the start of his trial in New York, where he faces accusations of falsifying business records to conceal payments to an adult-film star before the 2016 election.
Relevant articles:
– Proud Boys appear at Trump rally, drawing condemnation from Biden, washingtonpost.com, 04/21/2024
– Sunday News: “It wasn’t just Putin who lost in the House vote…Ukraine won. Trump lost”; “Proud Boys appear at Trump rally, drawing condemnation from Biden”; “Do Republicans really care about democracy, Blue Virginia, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 10:50:00 GMT
– Biden denounces antisemitism on college campuses amid Columbia protests, The Washington Post, Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:07:29 GMT
– Puerto Rico Republicans award Trump all 23 of their delegates, The Washington Post, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:51:20 GMT