Proud Boys Trademark Transferred to D.C. Church

The Proud Boys, a far-right group known for its involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack, has lost the legal rights to its trademarked name to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., following a court ruling. This decision by D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier stems from a 2020 incident where members of the group, including leader Enrique Tarrio, vandalized the church and destroyed a Black Lives Matter banner. The church, which was awarded a $2.8 million default judgment in 2023 that the Proud Boys failed to pay, now owns the trademark and can control the group’s use of its name and symbols. Tarrio, recently pardoned by former President Trump, denounced the ruling, called for the judge’s impeachment, and suggested the church’s nonprofit status should be revoked. The court's decision allows the church to seize any profits from merchandise sales under the Proud Boys’ name, reinforcing the legal consequences of the group's actions. This case highlights ongoing tensions around racial justice and accountability in the U.S.