The sentences are among the longest sentences handed out in court cases surrounding the storming of the parliament building, but are considerably lower than the sentences demanded. Prosecutors wanted Biggs and Rehl jailed for 33 and 30 years respectively.
Prosecutors say Biggs was a key figure in an “incendiary conspiracy” to forcibly overturn Joe Biden’s election victory over Donald Trump. Before the ruling, Biggs apologized for his actions. “I was seduced by the crowd,” he said. “My curiosity got the better of me. I’m not a terrorist. I have no hatred in my heart.” Rehl burst into tears as he read a statement. “I’m sorry I got involved,” he said.
The Proud Boys are a notorious militant group that has been causing unrest in the United States since 2017. Among other things, they aggressively intervened in various Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality aimed at black Americans. Former President Donald Trump is seen as a beacon by the group, they would consider themselves ‘Donald Trump’s army’, the prosecutor claimed. Trump himself is also being prosecuted for his part in the storming of the Capitol.
More than 1,100 people have been arrested for the attack on the Capitol. More than 630 of them have pleaded guilty and at least 110 have been convicted. Five people died during or shortly after the riots and more than 140 police officers were injured. The Capitol was damaged for millions of dollars.