A leader of a far-right extremist group, Scott Miller, has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for assaulting police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Miller, who was part of the Proud Boys chapter for Maryland and Washington, D.C., coordinated with other group members before storming the Capitol. Prosecutors found evidence on Miller’s phone indicating his white supremacist ideology and antisemitic views influenced his decision to participate in the attack. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing former President Donald Trump’s election interference case, warned that such extremist attacks can happen again in the U.S., highlighting the ongoing issue of extremism in the country.
During his sentencing, Miller apologized for his actions and claimed he is reforming himself, despite embracing extremist ideologies before the Capitol riot. Investigators found Nazi paraphernalia and racially motivated violence promoting memes when they searched Miller’s home and phone. They also discovered a photo of Miller posing next to a news story about the drowning of migrants, as well as a Halloween costume mimicking Derek Chauvin, the police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd. Judge Chutkan expressed skepticism about Miller’s remorse, citing the violent ideology and hateful material found on his phone.
Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of nearly six years for Miller, citing his violent attacks on police officers and his coordination with other Proud Boys members during the Capitol riot. Miller’s involvement in disrupting a children’s event in 2019 added to the prosecution’s argument that he is willing to use violence to enforce his beliefs. Leading up to the January 6 riot, Miller discussed plans for the day with other Proud Boys members and arrived at the Capitol wearing protective gear, joining the mob in attacking police officers. Despite cutting ties with the Proud Boys after the riot, defense attorney Elizabeth Mullin stated that there is no evidence Miller planned to attack police, attributing his actions to the crowd’s frenzy.
Judge Chutkan, known for handing down tough sentences in Jan. 6 cases, expressed concern about the extent of Miller’s violent ideology and hateful beliefs. The evidence presented during the trial raised doubts about Miller’s genuine remorse or ability to undergo a rapid transformation. As one of the toughest punishers of Jan. 6 defendants, Chutkan’s decision to sentence Miller to over five years in prison is the longest she has imposed in 45 cases. The prosecution noted Miller’s egregious behavior during the riot, which disrupted the peaceful transfer of power, emphasizing his repeated violent attacks on police officers and coordination with other Proud Boys members.
Miller’s defense attorney argued that he became carried away by the fervor of the crowd at the Capitol on January 6, influenced by former President Trump and other rally speakers. Despite Miller’s disavowal of the Proud Boys and their principles, the prosecution highlighted his participation in planning the attack on the Capitol and his violent actions against police officers. The sentencing of Scott Miller reflects ongoing concerns about extremism in the U.S. and the consequences of individuals embracing violent ideologies. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the Capitol riot, cases like Miller’s serve as a reminder of the need to address and address the root causes of extremism and hate.
