Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old retired drug and alcohol counselor from Boise, Idaho, has recently made headlines. She made a brave choice by turning down a pardon from former President Donald Trump after her involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Hemphill, who pleaded guilty to a crime for entering the Capitol, served 60 days in jail and is currently on probation.
In her interview, Hemphill said that accepting a pardon would disrespect the Capitol Police and the law. “It’s a slap in the face to the Capitol Police, the rule of law, and the entire country,” she stated. “If I accept a pardon, I’m helping spread lies about what really happened on January 6.”
Once known as “MAGA Granny” for her support of Trump, Hemphill has now distanced herself from him and the “Stop the Steal” movement. She described her earlier participation as being caught in a cult-like situation and has worked with a therapist to regain her critical thinking skills.
Although she wants to refuse the pardon, experts say she might not be able to. A Supreme Court ruling from 1927 states that a presidential pardon doesn’t need the person’s approval. Recently, Judge James R. Sweeney II supported this idea in a similar case, saying that pardons are about public good, not personal choice.
Hemphill’s decision has prompted people to talk more about taking responsibility and the complicated legal issues surrounding rejecting a pardon. Her story shows the ongoing personal and social effects of January 6 and how some people are changing their views about Trump.
While nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the Capitol riot celebrated after receiving pardons from Trump, Hemphill stood out. She boldly stated, “We were wrong that day; we broke the law. There should be no pardons.”
What Did She Do at the Capitol?
Pamela Hemphill participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally and entered the Capitol during the insurrection. She even filmed herself inside the building. In 2022, she was charged and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, resulting in 60 days in jail, three years of probation, and a $500 fine.
“I pleaded guilty because I was guilty,” she affirmed. “People involved in January 6 are trying to change the truth by saying it wasn’t a riot. I don’t want to be part of that.”
After learning about Trump’s mass pardons through her lawyer, Hemphill is determined to send a letter refusing the pardon. “I will refuse a pardon from felon Trump!” she declared online. Trump, who has returned to the presidency, mentioned in a press conference that many of these individuals have suffered during their imprisonment.
A New Perspective
Hemphill has sharply turned away from her previous beliefs. Now, she describes the MAGA movement as a “cult” and has drawn comparisons between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. She has even registered as a Democrat and plans to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.
Reflecting on the Capitol Riot, Hemphill recalls how she was in the crowd believing they could easily enter the Capitol. At one point, she was even injured during the chaos but was saved by Capitol Police who pulled her to safety.
Not long after that day, she began to see through the lies surrounding the “Stop the Steal” movement. “They lied about everything,” she shared. “It all began when Trump claimed the election was stolen. It wasn’t stolen.”
Now, many critics of Trump are praising Hemphill online. Comments like, “Thank you, Pam, for waking up,” and “You are doing the right thing” show support for her new stance. Hemphill believes it’s important to admit they were wrong that day, saying, “We all were wrong that day.”
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