Judge will allow prosecutors to use Trump’s ‘stand back and stand by’ comment in Proud Boys trial

A federal choose dominated Wednesday that prosecutors can use video of then-President Donald Trump telling the far-right group the Proud Boys to “stand again and stand by” within the trial towards a number of of the group’s leaders charged with seditious conspiracy.

District Choose Timothy Kelly mentioned that the previous president’s feedback confirmed “an extra motive to advocate for Mr. Trump (and) interact within the charged conspiracy” to maintain Trump in energy.

Throughout a presidential debate in 2020, Trump was requested by moderator Chris Wallace if he would condemn white supremacists and militia teams. Democratic candidate Joe Biden interjected and particularly talked about the Proud Boys.

“Proud Boys – stand again and stand by,” Trump responded. “However I’ll inform you what. I’ll inform you what. Any individual’s received to do one thing about Antifa and the left as a result of this isn’t a right-wing drawback.”

The remark, in accordance with prosecutors and members of the Proud Boys who testified publicly to the Home choose committee investigating January 6, was celebrated by the far-right group and was used as a recruiting instrument.

Nick Smith, a lawyer for Ethan Nordean – one of many defendants within the case – argued that Trump’s feedback didn’t replicate any of the actions his consumer and the 4 different defendants are alleged to have taken through the conspiracy, and that the notorious remark could be unduly prejudicial with the jury.

Kelly rejected the argument, noting that defendant Enrique Tarrio, the then chairman of the Proud Boys and a defendant within the trial, tweeted, “standing by, sir” instantly after the talk.

Prosecutors say they plan to current the video as a part of their opening assertion – at the moment scheduled for Thursday – within the trial.

Nordean, Tarrio, and defendants Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola and Joseph Biggs have pleaded not responsible.