REDEMPTION: Pamela Hemphill, ex -MAGA grandmother, rejects Trump’s pardon, sees the light



Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old woman from Boise, Idaho, nicknamed the “MAGA Granny,” has made headlines by rejecting President Donald Trump’s pardon for her involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Hemphill, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and served a 60-day prison sentence, has publicly denounced Trump’s recent pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the Capitol attack.

Hemphill’s decision to refuse the pardon stems from her acknowledgment of guilt as she firmly states, “I broke the law. It’s just that simple,” emphasizing her acceptance of responsibility for her actions. Hemphill believes that accepting the pardon would be “an insult to the Capitol Police officers, rule of law, and, of course, our nation.”

Hemphill refuses to participate in what she perceives as an attempt to “rewrite history” by the Trump administration and has distanced herself from the ‘Trump Cult.’

You don’t recognize it as a cult while you’re involved.”

Hemphill’s stance represents a significant shift from her previous support for Trump. She now advocates for holding Trump accountable, telling Newsweek that she believes “the president has committed crimes and needs to be held accountable.”

Now a vocal critic of Trump on social media platforms, Hemphill supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, marking a complete reversal of her political alignment.

While Hemphill has expressed her desire to reject the pardon, the legal feasibility of doing so remains uncertain. A 1927 Supreme Court case ruled that presidents do not need the consent of convicts to grant pardons. And recent attempts by federal inmates to reject commutations have been unsuccessful, with courts citing that inmates cannot refuse such actions regardless of their wishes.

Hemphill’s rejection of the pardon occurs amid controversy surrounding Trump’s extensive pardons for January 6 participants. The pardons have faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with concerns raised about the message it sends regarding accountability and respect for law enforcement.

Some Republican senators, including Thom Tillis and James Lankford, have expressed disagreement with Trump’s decision, particularly regarding pardons for those who assaulted police officers.

Hemphill’s case highlights the complex aftermath of the Capitol riot and the ongoing debate over accountability, presidential pardons, and the narrative surrounding the events of January 6, 2021.

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