Jan. 6 Rioter Rejects Trump Pardon, Admits Mistake: "We Were Wrong That Day"

Pamela Hemphill, who served prison time for her involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, has publicly declined the pardon granted by former President Donald Trump.

In an interview with the BBC, Hemphill explained her decision, stating, “Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol Police officers, rule of law, and, of course, our nation. We were wrong that day. We broke the law. There should be no pardons.”

On Monday, in one of his first official acts after returning to the White House, Trump issued approximately 1,500 full pardons to individuals charged in connection with the Capitol attack. This decision has drawn scrutiny due to its sweeping nature.

Of the 1,583 defendants charged, about 600 were accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers, and 10 were convicted of sedition.

Hemphill, who pleaded guilty in 2022 to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol, was sentenced to 60 days in prison, three years of probation, and $500 in restitution.

Prosecutors dropped three additional charges as part of her plea agreement. Reflecting on her actions, Hemphill stated, “I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon would contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative.”

During her interview with CNN, Hemphill reiterated her decision to reject the pardon and explained that she had informed her attorney and probation officer. According to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 1833, individuals are allowed to reject presidential pardons if they choose.

“A lot of people have told me to take the pardon, and others are happy I’m not. But this has to do with making amends,” she said.

Hemphill also criticized attempts to downplay the events of January 6. “They’re trying to rewrite history, that Jan. 6 was not an insurrection. And I don’t want to be a part of that. It was an insurrection. It was a riot,” she asserted.

Additionally, she pushed back against claims that the Department of Justice is biased against Trump supporters. “The DOJ was not weaponized against me. In fact, I had a wonderful judge, and I’m lucky I didn’t get more time. I don’t want any part of a pardon.”

Trump’s campaign promises to pardon January 6 defendants were a central theme of his 2024 run.

While his decision to fulfill this promise has been praised by his supporters, critics argue that it undermines accountability and justice for those involved in the attack on democracy.