A document titled “1776 Returns,” which federal prosecutors say was utilised by the Proud Boys‘ commander, sets out a plan to occupy Capitol buildings on January 6, 2021, using undercover operators to bring “patriots” into government offices in an alleged attempt to force a new election.
This month, Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, and four other members were charged with seditious conspiracy. Tarrio has been ordered and held pending his trial on two occasions.
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The nine-page file, filed in federal court on Wednesday, lays out a strategy for filling buildings “with patriots and communicate our demands,” with stated goals including retaining control “over a select few, but crucial buildings in the DC area for a set period of time” and getting as “many people as possible inside these buildings.”
“These are OUR building, they are just renting space,” the manifesto states, adding, “We must show our politicians We the People are in charge.”
The New York Times reported on some of the contents in the document in March, and the complete text was revealed in a court filing by one of the Proud Boy defendants on Wednesday.
The document was included in a motion filed by a lawyer for Proud Boy Zachary Rehl, who is pursuing release from pretrial detention. Rehl “had no knowledge of the document,” according to the filing.
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The Supreme Court, the Russell Senate Office Building, the Dirksen Senate Office Building, the Hart Senate Office Building, the Cannon House Office Building, the Longworth House Office Building, the Rayburn House Office Building, and CNN are among the eight targets listed in the memo.
The document defines five separate positions under the heading “Manpower Needs”:
(1) Lead: “Covert Sleeper, sets up fake appointment — is expected to spend the day as our insider and let people inside the building”;
(2) Second: “Takes the place of the lead in case of being discovered”;
(3) Hypeman: “leads chants, must maintain energy / presence”;
(4) Recruiter: “in charge of getting patriots for starting point for each building, share the ‘patriot plan’ document, spread the word”;
(5) Patriots: “Maintain a presence while handing out ‘patriot plan.’”
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The document instructs “leads and seconds” to scout entrances and exits on January 6, and encourages “patriots” to take advantage of Covid-19 protocols.
“Pack huge face masks & face shields, protect your identity,” it says. “If possible, be in building first thing in the morning. Be dressed in suits and unsuspecting, do not look tactical at all. “
When the time comes for “patriots” to storm the institutions, individuals may be required to make “trouble near the front doors to distract security,” according to the plan. “The goal is to ensure there is an entry point for the masses to rush the building.”
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It calls for a new election – “not a recount” — with “paper ballots only, no mail in ballots, no absentee ballots,” with the National Guard overseeing the process.
In connection with the Jan. 6 attack, the Justice Department has brought criminal charges against at least 825 people. Online investigators have identified hundreds more rioters. Over 300 persons have pleaded guilty to minor and felony counts, as well as seditious conspiracy.
