Pam Hemphill, an Idaho woman convicted for her role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection, has publicly stated she will refuse any potential pardon from former President Donald Trump. In a social media post, Hemphill, who was sentenced to two months in jail in 2022, expressed that she has been subjected to significant pressure and bullying from Trump supporters, particularly after she condemned the events of that day in interviews with various media outlets. Hemphill claimed that Trump’s supporters even went as far as contacting her probation officer in an attempt to get her into trouble for speaking out.
Hemphill’s involvement in the January 6 attack began when she traveled from Idaho to Washington, D.C., to support Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. On the day of the insurrection, she was accused of pushing through police lines multiple times as the crowd grew more violent. She was also seen encouraging other rioters to force their way into the Capitol building and was later observed inside the Rotunda. Prosecutors noted that she exaggerated her injuries when offered assistance by the police, trying to distract officers from more violent protesters. Hemphill pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of demonstrating, picketing, or parading in a Capitol building, which carried a potential sentence of up to six months in jail, a fine, and up to five years of probation.
Despite her involvement in the insurrection, Hemphill later expressed deep regret for her actions. In interviews, she described the MAGA movement as a “cult” and stated that Trump was ultimately responsible for the events of January 6. She also revealed how she had been misled by Trump’s rhetoric, particularly on issues like immigration and the border, which initially drew her to his cause. Hemphill admitted that she was “brainwashed” by Trump supporters, who convinced her that Democrats were trying to take over the country. Reflecting on her participation in the attack, she called it “the worst day in our history” and said it was a scar she would carry for the rest of her life.
Hemphill’s participation in the January 6 attack was not her first encounter with violent protests. In 2020, she was involved in a protest at the Idaho Statehouse, where demonstrators, led by anti-government figure Ammon Bundy, stormed the building and shattered a glass door. This event, like the January 6 riot, was driven by anti-government sentiment and a desire to defy authority.
At her sentencing, Hemphill was ordered to serve 60 days in jail, three years of supervised release, and pay $500 in restitution toward the Capitol’s damages. Despite her remorse, Hemphill has continued to speak out about her experience and her regret for participating in the insurrection. Her public statements have been met with backlash from Trump supporters, but she remains resolute in her belief that Trump is a dangerous figure and that the rioters should not be pardoned. She has called on other January 6 defendants to recognize the harm caused by Trump’s leadership and to distance themselves from his influence.
Hemphill’s decision to refuse a pardon from Trump reflects her ongoing rejection of the ideology that led her to storm the Capitol. While she acknowledges the shame she feels for her actions, she is determined to stand by her conviction that Trump and his supporters bear responsibility for the violence of January 6.
