Man Sentenced to Six Years for Insulting Judge at Capitol Riot Sentencing
In a dramatic turn of events, Marc Bru, a member of the Proud Boys extremist group, was sentenced to six years in prison after he verbally attacked and insulted Chief Judge James Boasberg during his trial for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Bru’s outbursts and disrespectful remarks landed him in even deeper trouble, as the judge warned him of potential consequences if he continued to disrupt the proceedings.
Throughout the trial, Bru displayed a complete lack of remorse and repeatedly interrupted Chief Judge Boasberg. He went as far as calling the judge a “clown” and a “fraud,” referring to the court as a “kangaroo court.” Unimpressed by Bru’s behavior, the judge warned him that he could be removed from the courtroom if he persisted with his disruptive behavior.
In response, Bru defiantly stated, “You can give me 100 years and I’d do it all over again,” showcasing a complete lack of regret for his actions. The judge pointed out that this lack of remorse was evident and stated, “That’s the definition of no remorse in my book.”
Prosecutors described Bru as one of the least remorseful individuals involved in the Capitol riot. They revealed that he had been planning an armed insurrection, known as “January 6 2.0,” to overthrow the government in Portland, Oregon, following the deadly riot in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors expressed concern that Bru intended to incite further violence during his sentencing.
Representing himself with an attorney on standby, Bru has been known for spewing anti-government rhetoric influenced by the sovereign citizen movement. Prior to the hearing, Bru demanded that both the judge and prosecutor turn over five years of their financial records, causing further disruptions in court.
Despite warnings from prosecutors that Bru would attempt to disrupt his own sentencing, the extent of his disrespect and defiance was still surprising. On the day before then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House, Bru flew from Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C. He joined numerous Proud Boys in marching to the Capitol and was among the first rioters to breach a restricted area near Peace Circle.
Inside the Capitol, Bru actively engaged in the chaos, grabbing barricades and shoving them against police officers. He proceeded to enter the Senate gallery, where he posed for selfie photos, flashing a hand gesture associated with the Proud Boys. In total, Bru spent approximately 13 minutes inside the building.
In the weeks following the riot, evidence surfaced of Bru’s intentions to continue his violent agenda. Text messages exchanged with a friend revealed plans to purchase gas masks in bulk. Additionally, Bru contacted a recruit for the Proud Boys and expressed his desire to replicate the violence and lawlessness of January 6 in Portland to overthrow the local government.
The FBI arrested Bru in March 2021 in Vancouver, Washington. However, he managed to abscond before his trial and skipped two court hearings. In a defiant tweet, Bru boasted that the government would have to come and get him if they wanted him. True to his word, Bru was eventually apprehended approximately a month later.
During his bench trial, Bru refused to present a defense and continuously expressed his contempt for the court and government. This behavior further solidified prosecutors’ claims that he showed no remorse or cooperation throughout the legal proceedings.
Bru’s sentencing comes amidst a wave of prosecutions related to the Capitol riot. Over 1,200 people have been charged with various crimes, with approximately 900 pleading guilty or being convicted after trials. Of those sentenced, around two-thirds have received prison terms.
While Bru’s insults and disruptions in court may have only worsened his situation, they shed light on the deep-seated defiance and radicalization present within certain extremist groups. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing consequences individuals face for their actions on January 6, 2021, and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
