Another member said that the situation "completely fucking crashes and burns on us." The same person went on to criticize other Proud Boys who handled communications and security on January 6, saying, "I mean, fuck, 'tifa looks like professionals compared to us," referring to Antifa.
In the Proud Boys chat, someone called on Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio to resign. (Tarrio was arrested in DC on an unrelated charge one day before the riot.) The audio chat contained other debates about the group's leaders, whether they were still doing a good job, the role that indicted members should play in the group and whether they should continue doing rallies.
"I understand where we're at in the frat," Nordean said, according to court filings form his lawyers. "I understand that we've taken some risks that we shouldn't have taken. We've done some things we shouldn't have done. Ok, but they've been done, and we need to learn from 'em."
Nordean also said he was no longer a Trump supporter, according to the rough transcript.
One member was shocked by the potential prison sentences for people convicted of the most serious offenses related to January 6. They said: "Twenty goddam years? Man, no matter what we do they're going to throw the fucking book at us." Other members discussed federal conviction rates and prison terms, and suggested that the best option might be to plead guilty.
And a member said he thought the group decided against going to DC for January 6. He said he was confused and upset that members ended up going and hurting the group's public image.
The messages became public on the same day Attorney General Merrick Garland announced new efforts by the Justice Department to crack down on domestic terrorism and extremism.