Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Poses with Rubio at Shield Summit

Tarrio posted a photo with the Secretary of State at the inaugural Shield of the Americas summit in Florida.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Former Proud Boys national chairman and far-right activist Enrique Tarrio posted a photo of him with Secretary of State Marco Rubio taken at the inaugural Shield of the Americas summit in Florida on Saturday. Tarrio, who was pardoned by former President Trump for his role in the January 6th attack, praised Rubio and the Trump administration in his social media post.

Why it matters

Tarrio's presence at the Shield of the Americas summit, which was intended to gather the U.S.'s 'strongest likeminded allies in our hemisphere,' raises concerns about the Trump administration's willingness to engage with far-right figures and their potential influence on foreign policy initiatives.

The details

Tarrio posted the photo on Saturday on the social platform X with a caption that read, in part, 'Proud of this Cuban!' He also wrote 'down with communism,' in Spanish, an apparent nod to the current Cuban regime. Tarrio, who led the white nationalist Proud Boys organization from 2018-2021, was sentenced in 2023 to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy following his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, he was pardoned by former President Trump last year.

  • The Shield of the Americas summit was held on Saturday, March 9, 2026 in Doral, Florida.
  • Tarrio posted the photo with Rubio on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Enrique Tarrio

Former national chairman of the far-right Proud Boys organization, who was pardoned by former President Trump for his role in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Marco Rubio

The current U.S. Secretary of State, who attended the inaugural Shield of the Americas summit in Florida.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who pardoned Enrique Tarrio and other January 6th rioters last year.

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What they’re saying

“Proud of this Cuban! Abajo con el comunismo!”

— Enrique Tarrio, Former Proud Boys National Chairman (X)

“On this historic day, we come together to announce a brand-new military coalition to eradicate the criminal cartels plaguing our region.”

— Donald Trump (State Department Release)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to provide more details on the 'Shield of the Americas' security initiative in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Tarrio's presence at the Shield of the Americas summit raises concerns about the Trump administration's willingness to engage with far-right figures and their potential influence on foreign policy initiatives, even after Tarrio was convicted and pardoned for his role in the January 6th attack.