Former Proud Boys leader urges MAGA to give Harmeet Dhillon ‘a fair shot’ if promoted at DOJ

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is urging MAGA to give Harmeet Dhillon “a fair shot” if she is elevated to a more powerful role within the Department of Justice.

In a letter published Thursday, Tarrio and Cynthia Hughes — an advocate for Jan. 6 defendants — called on supporters to withhold judgment and avoid attacking Dhillon if she is promoted to a senior leadership role, as some reports suggest she could be.

“If the reports are true, and Harmeet Dhillon is moving into a more powerful role at the DOJ… then we believe she deserves a fair hearing from this community,” they wrote. “But let’s be clear. We’re not asking for a blank check or blind trust. We just want a fair hearing.”

The letter stops short of endorsing Dhillon for promotion, instead arguing that she should be judged based on what she does regarding Jan. 6 if given greater authority.

“If Harmeet Dhillon is indeed stepping into a larger role, we’re willing to give her a fair shot,” they wrote. “We’ll support what’s right, and we’ll oppose what’s not. And we will hold her, as we would anyone in that position, to the highest standard.”

Tarrio’s appeal is notable given his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

As the former leader of the Proud Boys — a far-right extremist group whose members played a central role in the attack — Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in coordinating the effort to block certification of the 2020 election. He later received a pardon from President Donald Trump.

The letter comes amid speculation that Dhillon, who currently leads DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, could be promoted to associate attorney general — the third-most powerful role in the department, or even attorney general.

Tarrio and Hughes laid out sweeping demands for further action on Jan. 6 cases for Dhillon, arguing that Trump’s pardons were not enough.

“Pardons were a start, not the finish,” they wrote. “The underlying convictions need to be addressed. Weaponization needs to be exposed. And where possible, it must be corrected.” 

Their appeal also reflects recent tensions within MAGA over Dhillon’s handling of Jan. 6–related issues as Civil Rights chief. Some supporters and influencers have criticized her for not doing enough to investigate or challenge prosecutions tied to the attack, accusing her of failing to act on claims that the cases were politically motivated.

Dhillon has responded combatively to the backlash. 

In a social media dispute with right-wing critics accusing her of not doing enough to support Jan. 6 defendants last year, Dhillon lashed out, referring to some detractors using derogatory slurs. The episode underscored growing frustration among segments of the Jan. 6 movement who expected more aggressive action from her.

In their letter, Tarrio and Hughes pushed back on criticisms against Dhillon, warning that internal attacks could undermine their broader goals.

“The January 6 community simply can’t afford to tear down every single person who might be in a position to help deliver the next phase of justice,” they wrote. “Name-calling, internal division, and emotional pile-ons only weaken our voice.” 

Instead, they argue the movement should focus on applying pressure on federal officials while remaining unified.

Dhillon remains closely connected to figures tied to Jan. 6. Over the weekend, she attended a wedding celebration for Republican fundraiser Caroline Wren, a key organizer of the Jan. 6 rally that preceded the attacks on the U.S. Capitol. Photos from the event show Dhillon celebrating alongside Wren aboard a yacht.

A longtime Trump loyalist and MAGA darling, Dhillon has drawn sharp criticism from voting rights advocates and former Justice Department officials over her leadership of the Civil Rights Division, particularly her escalating attacks on voting rights.