Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old retired drug and alcohol counselor from Boise, Idaho, made headlines this week for her decision to reject a pardon from President Donald Trump for her involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Hemphill, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for entering the Capitol, served 60 days in prison and is currently on probation.
Her refusal to accept clemency is a bold statement of her disapproval of Trump and his role in the events of January 6. In an interview, Hemphill expressed that accepting the pardon would be an affront to the Capitol Police and the rule of law. “It’s an insult to the Capitol Police, to the rule of law, and to the nation,” she said. “If I accept a pardon, I’m continuing their propaganda, their gaslighting, and all their falsehoods about Jan. 6.”
Previously dubbed “MAGA Granny” by the media, Hemphill has since distanced herself from Trump and the “Stop the Steal” movement, describing her participation as part of a cult-like mindset. A therapist helped her realize that her involvement was voluntary and that she had lost her ability to think critically.
Despite her desire to reject the pardon, legal experts have noted that she may not be able to do so. A 1927 U.S. Supreme Court ruling established that presidential clemency does not require the recipient’s consent. Judge James R. Sweeney II recently upheld this precedent in a similar case, emphasizing that commutations or pardons are decided by public welfare, not individual preference.
Hemphill’s public stance against the pardon has sparked broader discussions about accountability and the legal complexities of rejecting clemency. Her journey highlights the lingering personal and societal consequences of January 6 and the shifting allegiances of those once deeply aligned with Trump’s movement.
