Pamela Hemphill, the Idaho woman dubbed "MAGA Granny" who spent 60 days in jail for her role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, said she would "refuse" a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump.
Newsweek reached out to Trump's representatives via email and Hemphill via X for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump, whose second term as president starts on January 20, said that he would issue pardons to January 6 rioters—Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol while lawmakers were inside certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election win—on "Day 1" of his presidency.
His declaration comes amid his ongoing criticism of the Department of Justice's handling of the January 6 cases. In a statement, Trump claimed that the defendants were being "unfairly targeted" while what he called "far-left agitators" faced less scrutiny.
What To Know
Hemphill, who participated in multiple interviews about her participation in the January 6, 2021, riot, said on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday that she has been "bullied" by Trump supporters and will refuse a pardon from the incoming president.
"I'm not going to be bullied by MAGA anymore, as those who went as far as calling my Probation Officer trying to get me in trouble backfired on them, thinking I would stop speaking out, just give me more confidence to continue! I will refuse a pardon from felon Trump!" Hemphill wrote, tagging former Representative Adam Kinzinger.
Hemphill, a retired substance abuse counselor from Boise, was seen pushing past police lines three times during the riot on January 6, 2021, and encouraging others in the rotunda.
She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in January 2022 of demonstrating in the Capitol, carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. She was sentenced to two months in prison and three years probation.
In 2023, Trump tried to politicize Hemphill's case, saying on Truth Social that she received harsher punishment than President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden. Hemphill criticized Trump for "using" her sentencing as a political tactic.
"I'm not a victim of Jan 6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty!" Hemphill wrote on X, tagging Trump.
In August, Hemphill, who now takes responsibility for her crimes, told USA Today that she was brainwashed by Trump supporters and called January 6 the "worst day in our history."
What People Are Saying
Vice President-elect JD Vance: "I think it's very simple. Look, if you protested peacefully on January 6th, and you had Merrick Garland's Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously, you shouldn't be pardoned. And there's a little bit of a gray area there."
President Joe Biden, on January 6, 2025: "I think what he [Trump] did was a genuine threat to democracy, and I'm hopeful that we're beyond it. If you notice, I've reached out to make sure the smooth transition [happens]. We've got to get back to basic, normal transfer of power. I don't think we should pretend it [January 6] didn't happen."
What Happens Next
Trump takes office for the second time on January 20 at the U.S. Capitol.
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