President Donald Trump has followed through on his pledge to pardon participants in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, sparking fierce criticism — including from one intended recipient.
Pamela Hemphill, 71, of Boise, Idaho, who was sentenced to two months in prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges in the attack, said she would not accept Trump’s pardon.
“Accepting a pardon would be an affront to Capital Police officers, to the rule of law, to our nation,” said Hemphill, who posted videos of himself. The attack took place as he entered the Capitol, he said Idaho Statesman on Tuesday.
Hemphill told the newspaper that she plans to file a letter rejecting Trump’s pardon. “I don’t want to be a part of their attempt to rewrite what happened that day,” she said.
“I don’t want to be part of their attempt to rewrite what happened that day.”
Pamela Hemphill, 71, of BOISE, IDAHO
Dubbed “MegaGranny” after her videos circulated in the Capitol, Hemphill has since disavowed Trump and took issue with He described the January 6 defendants as persecuted victims. “We were wrong that day, we broke the law – there should be no apology,” Hemphill told the BBC.
After taking office, Trump on January 6 issued pardons for nearly 1,500 defendants and commuted the sentences of 14 others. He also ordered the dismissal of hundreds of pending cases on January 6. The broad nature of the pardons surprised some Trump allies. NBC News reported.and the decision to do so was made just days before the inauguration.
Some Trump voters have expressed disapproval of the pardon. NPR reported.. The president also faced criticism from a police union that endorsed him for president in the 2024 election: The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the United States. Joint statement Along with the International Association of Chiefs of Police — both Trump and then-President Joe Biden — condemning pardons and commutations for those convicted of killing or assaulting law enforcement officers. In the final hours of his term, Biden commuted the sentence to life imprisonment of Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of the 1975 murders of two FBI agents. Last weekend, Biden Commutations also issued. Two Virginia men sentenced to life in prison for killing a police officer.
“When perpetrators of crimes, particularly serious crimes, are not fully held accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences of attacking law enforcement agencies are not serious,” the statement said. which potentially encourage others to commit similar acts of violence.”
