Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old former Trump supporter from Boise, Idaho, has made headlines by rejecting a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for her role in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Once dubbed “MAGA Granny” by social media, Hemphill pleaded guilty in 2022 to a misdemeanor charge of demonstrating, picketing, or parading in the Capitol, receiving a 60-day prison sentence, three years of probation, and a $500 fine. Her actions during the riot included pushing past police lines and encouraging others to enter the Capitol, as captured in videos she posted online.
Hemphill’s decision to refuse the pardon, issued by Trump on his first day back in office in 2025, stems from her profound change of heart. She told multiple outlets, including NPR and the Idaho Statesman, that accepting the pardon would be “an insult to the Capitol Police, the rule of law, and our nation.” She now views the January 6 narrative pushed by Trump and his supporters as “gaslighting” and “propaganda,” rejecting claims that the riot was a peaceful protest or that the Justice Department was weaponized against participants. “I broke the law that day, period. I’m not a victim, I’m a volunteer,” she said, emphasizing her guilt and accountability.
Her transformation began during her 60-day sentence in Dublin, California, where she started questioning Trump’s election fraud claims. By April 2023, Hemphill publicly broke with the “MAGA cult,” crediting online discussions and a family intervention for restoring her critical thinking. She faced backlash from Trump supporters, including attempts to report her to her probation officer, but this only strengthened her resolve. Hemphill formally rejected the pardon with assistance from Senator James Risch’s office, filing a letter with the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, which acknowledged her “non-acceptance” on April 2, 2025.
Hemphill’s stance contrasts sharply with other January 6 defendants, like Jacob Chansley, who celebrated their pardons. She argues that the mass clemency for over 1,500 rioters risks emboldening extremist groups like the Proud Boys. Her outspoken criticism, including calling Trump a “dangerous narcissist” who should face prison, has drawn both praise and threats, yet she remains committed to correcting the historical record of January 6.
