A Republican-led conference opposing Donald Trump was forced to evacuate Sunday due to a bomb threat at the Washington, D.C., hotel hosting the event.
Attendees at the Principles First Summit were forced out of the JW Marriott hotel after receiving the threat from someone claiming to be former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio.
“Hotel security, private security and [D.C. police] have made the decision to evacuate [the] Summit floor so that the area can be secured,” organizers wrote on social media. “We intend to reconvene and continue with the Summit once the area has been secured.”
Tarrio said on social media he had nothing to do with the threat. He claimed, “I would never do this.”
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. (Getty)
According to conference organizers, Tarrio was involved in a minor altercation at the hotel on Saturday. He filmed himself exchanging words with former Capitol Police officers, who were attending the Principles First event.
The bomb threat, a copy of which was obtained by former CNN reporter Jim Acosta, read: “To honor the J6 hostages recently released by Emperor Trump, I’ve constructed four pipe bombs” — and claimed to have placed two in the Marriott to affect the Principles First conference.
The letter claimed the other two bombs were at the homes of former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone — who clashed with Tarrio on Saturday — and former Trump security advisor John Bolton.
No bombs were found, and the conference resumed. Tarrio was pardoned by Trump after he was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“There’s nothing you can do to intimidate me,” ex-Rep. Adam Kinzinger said on stage when the conference resumed. “You’re not going to win.”