Pamela Hemphill: Why One January 6 Defendant Refused President Trump's Pardon


Pamela Hemphill, often referred to in the media as the "MAGA Granny," has one of the most remarkable stories to emerge from the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol. While more than 1,500 people connected to the Capitol attack received pardons or clemency from President Donald Trump after he returned to office in January 2025, Hemphill became the only known defendant to formally reject her pardon. Her decision reflected a dramatic personal transformation from devoted Trump supporter to outspoken critic of both the January 6 attack and the false claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election.¹

Before January 6, Hemphill was an enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump and believed the widespread claims that the 2020 election had been stolen. She traveled from Idaho to Washington, D.C., to participate in the "Stop the Steal" rally. Prosecutors later presented evidence showing that she encouraged others to attend the event, including social media posts describing January 6 as "a WAR!" She entered the Capitol grounds during the riot and later pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of demonstrating, picketing, or parading inside a Capitol building. She was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years of probation, and ordered to pay restitution.¹

Following her conviction, Hemphill began reassessing both her own actions and the information she had believed before January 6. She has said that she eventually realized she had been manipulated by misinformation and conspiracy theories. Drawing on her previous career as a substance abuse counselor, she compared her involvement in the MAGA movement to being in a cult, explaining that leaving it required confronting uncomfortable truths and accepting responsibility for her own decisions.²

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued sweeping pardons and commutations for approximately 1,500 people charged or convicted in connection with the Capitol attack. While many accepted the clemency, Hemphill publicly announced that she would not. She even sought assistance from her U.S. senator to ensure the Department of Justice formally recognized her rejection of the pardon. According to Hemphill, accepting the pardon would have supported what she believes is a false narrative that January 6 participants were innocent victims of political persecution.¹

Hemphill has repeatedly stated that she accepts full responsibility for her actions. She has declared, "I am guilty, and I own that guilt," emphasizing that she believes those who broke the law on January 6 should be held accountable. She has also argued that accepting a pardon would be an insult to the Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol that day and would undermine respect for the rule of law. In her view, the events of January 6 should not be rewritten or minimized.¹

Since rejecting the pardon, Hemphill has become an advocate for accountability and civic responsibility. She has publicly apologized to Capitol Police officers and has spoken about the dangers of political extremism, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. She hopes her story serves as a warning to others about how easily people can become consumed by false narratives and the importance of accepting personal responsibility when mistakes are made.³

Hemphill's decision has generated considerable discussion across the political spectrum. Supporters have praised her willingness to accept responsibility and reject political convenience, while critics argue that a presidential pardon is simply an act of executive clemency and does not necessarily imply innocence. Regardless of those differing opinions, her refusal remains an unusual and highly public example of a defendant choosing accountability over legal forgiveness.⁴

Footnotes
1. MacFarlane, Scott. "Former Trump Supporter Pamela Hemphill Refuses and Returns Her Jan. 6 Pardon." CBS News, 1 June 2025. 

2. Staats, David. "Woman Known as 'MAGA Granny' Says She's 'Absolutely Not' Accepting Trump's Jan. 6 Pardon." People, 24 Jan. 2025. 

3. PBS NewsHour. "WATCH: 'MAGA Granny' Pamela Hemphill Makes Emotional Apology to Jan. 6 Officers." 6 Jan. 2026. 

4. Politico. "Pence Praises Jan. 6 Rioter for Rejecting Trump Pardon." 25 June 2025.

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