OnPolitics: The 'empty chair' in the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial

Hey there, OnPolitics readers. After more than three months, the seditious conspiracy trial of the right-wing extremist Proud Boys is nearing its end.

While federal prosecutors wrapped up its case against five members of the Proud Boys with a nearly 2.5-hour closing argument yesterday, closing remarks by the defense — representing Ethan Nordean, Joe Biggs Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola and former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio — are ongoing.

And as the trial inches to a verdict, the prosecution and the defense made it clear they both blame former President Donald Trump for the actions on Jan. 6, 2021. 

“The most interesting thing to me is the idea of Trump as the empty chair in these trials,” said Jill Huntley Taylor, CEO of Taylor Trial Consulting. “On both sides, both sides are pointing to Trump.” 

🔎 Keep reading: Donald Trump central to Proud Boys trial as DOJ, defense attorneys blame him for Jan. 6 attack

What’s next: Following the closing remarks from the defense, the government will have a chance for rebuttal before the case move onto jury deliberations.

Why does it matter?: A guilty verdict in this case could bolster the Justice Department's account that the Capitol attack, and those who participated in it, served as a dire threat to American democracy, politics reporter Ella Lee writes.

Of the nine sedition cases the DOJ has tried, excluding the Proud Boys', it has won six convictions — all members of the right-wing militia group Oath Keepers, Lee adds.

⚖️ 'Donald Trump's army': DOJ, defense make closing arguments in Proud Boys sedition trial

🏃‍♂️ Catch up: Proud Boys on trial for charges stemming from Jan. 6 Capitol riot. What we know.

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