Who are the Proud Boys? Face-to-face with the leader of the far-right group

Outside prisons across America, there were tears of joy - and furious protests - as the criminals walked free from prison. 

The highest profile release was the man with the longest sentence; Enrique Tarrio, leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who had been jailed for 22 years for seditious conspiracy. 

He wasn't at the Capitol on January 6 - he was arrested two days earlier and banned from entering Washington, DC, but a federal court found him guilty of orchestrating the insurrection, which was spearheaded by around 300 members of his street gang.

We met Tarrio as he returned to Washington for the first time since his incarceration, joined by members of the Proud Boys and other January 6 rioters.

They gathered on the steps of the Capitol and made a victory lap around the building, before announcing they planned to sue the US Department of Justice for prosecuting them. 

"The people that did this to us need to be investigated," Tarrio told 60 Minutes.

"We're suing them for multiple reasons and the main reason is violation of civil rights. And I believe if they are investigated, there will be a crime found."

The last time I was at the Capitol with a bunch of Proud Boys was on January 6, 2021, as they led the mob breaching barricades, smashing windows, breaking into Congress, and assaulting police officers who were attempting to defend the building. 

It was a violent and terrifying day, so returning to the scene with many of the same mob is surreal and unnerving.

But what's most unsettling is Tarrio's quest for revenge and retribution for those who locked him up. 

I'm trying to understand the Proud Boys ideology and intentions, but Tarrio makes for a tricky interview subject. 

He's slippery and obtuse, evading questions and dismissing facts. 

He denies any involvement in the events of January 6, and insists he was unfairly prosecuted and convicted. 

He also rejects the notion – and evidence - that the Proud Boys are extremist, neo-fascist thugs. 

"People think that we're a political group, we're not," he said.

"We're a drinking club first, and we're fraternity first, and we're a brotherhood first before anything to do with politics … the goal is just to make better men."

Over a period of four days, our 60 Minutes crew accompanied Tarrio and his Proud Boys - as well as his fiancée - to a conservative political conference, where he was greeted as a hero and treated like a rockstar. 

We ate meals together, drove around DC, chatted about life, love and family and everything in between. 

There were times when I warmed to Tarrio; he's polite and charming and respectful. 

But we also saw his darker side. 

On the day of his triumphant return to the Capitol, he assaulted a protestor and was arrested. 

The following day, he paid a visit to a hotel where police officers who were assaulted on January 6 were speaking.

Tarrio yelled threats and abuse at the men, in an ugly confrontation which showed how serious he is about tormenting his enemies.

It's clear the early release from jail has vindicated and emboldened Tarrio and his Proud Boys. 

And in this strange and highly polarised world of American politics, it's not hard to imagine the violence of January 6, 2021, recurring.

"I still celebrate that day," he told 60 Minutes. 

"I think if there is a stolen election, it is the duty of the people to go out in the streets. I'd rather have violent freedom than silent tyranny."

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