A participant in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol rejected a pardon from US President Donald Trump, citing responsibility and respect for the rule of law.
Pamela Hemphill, who pleaded guilty and served a 60-day prison sentence for her role in the riot, told the BBC: “We were wrong that day.”
Hemphill, known as “Grandma Maga” on social media, criticized Trump's decision to pardon or commute sentences for those involved in the riot.
“Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol Police officers, the rule of law and, of course, our nation,” he said. “I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon would also contribute to their false and misleading narrative.”
Hemphill accused Trump of trying to “rewrite history” and reiterated that his actions that day were illegal. “That day we were wrong, we broke the law; there should be no pardons,” he said during an interview with the BBC World Service's Newsday programme.
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Trump's decision to grant pardons to nearly 1,600 people linked to the Capitol riot came just hours into his presidency. At a press conference on Tuesday, he defended the measure, saying: “These people have already served years in prison and they have served them viciously. It's a disgusting prison. It's been horrible. “It's inhuman.”
However, the decision has faced criticism, including from members of Trump's own party. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed disapproval, saying, “I simply cannot agree with the move” and warning that it could raise “legitimate security issues at the Capitol.” Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma echoed these concerns, emphasizing: “If you attack a police officer, it's a very serious problem and they should pay a price for it.”
The denial of a presidential pardon is unprecedented. Under the United States Constitution, people have the right to refuse pardons, a position upheld by the Supreme Court.
Among those pardoned was Jacob Chansley, widely known as the “QAnon Shaman.” Released in 2023 after serving 27 months of a 41-month sentence, Chansley shared his reaction to the pardon, telling the BBC: “I went out and shouted 'freedom' at the top of my lungs and then waged a good war against the Native Americans. cry.”
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