• Pamela Hemphill rejected Trump’s pardon and testified at Democratic hearing marking fifth anniversary
• 72-year-old apologized to Capitol Police who saved her life when she was trampled by rioters
• Hemphill said accepting pardon would mean lying about what happened on January 6, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Pamela Hemphill returned to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, five years after storming it as part of the mob attempting to overturn the 2020 election. This time, the 72-year-old Idaho grandmother came to apologize.

Speaking at a Democratic hearing marking the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection, Hemphill delivered an emotional apology to Capitol Police officers and rejected President Donald Trump’s pardon for her role in the attack.

Rejects Presidential Pardon

Hemphill, nicknamed the “MAGA Granny” after the riot, testified before House Democrats in a striking reversal from her 2021 actions. Her voice breaking with emotion, she explained her decision to refuse the presidential clemency Trump granted to nearly all January 6 defendants.

“When Donald Trump pardoned us, I rejected the pardon. Accepting that pardon would be lying about what happened on January 6th. I am guilty, and I own that guilt.”

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The retired addiction counselor served 60 days in federal prison after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of demonstrating, picketing or parading in a Capitol building. She also received 36 months of probation and paid $500 in restitution.

Emotional Apology to Officers

Hemphill’s testimony grew particularly emotional when she addressed Capitol Police officers directly, including one sitting feet away who had been assaulted during the attack. She paused multiple times to collect herself as tears threatened to overwhelm her.

“I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart for being part of the mob that put you and so many officers in danger. I want the Capitol police to know how truly grateful I am to them and how deeply sorry I am.”

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The Idaho grandmother described how Capitol Police saved her life that day when she was trampled by fellow rioters. She recounted officers pulling her from the crushing crowd when she couldn’t breathe, an experience that later shaped her understanding of what actually occurred.

“I was trampled on by the rioters, and if it weren’t for the Capitol Police helping me that day, I might have died.”

Journey From Trump Supporter to Critic

Hemphill explained how she fell victim to false claims about the 2020 election being stolen. She traveled from Idaho to Washington after her brother bought her a plane ticket, believing Trump would march with supporters to the Capitol.

“Five years ago, I traveled from Idaho to D.C. to see Donald Trump speak. I had fallen for the president’s lies, just like many of his supporters. The gaslighting caused a lot of fear, and I was scared.”

She described hearing rhetoric from local Trump supporters claiming Democrats wanted to turn America into a communist country and eliminate the Constitution. That fear motivated her participation in the January 6 events.

“I went from Trump’s speech to the Capitol because I thought Mr. Trump would go to the Capitol with us. Well, as you know, Donald Trump never showed. But the rioters did, and the attack began.”

Hemphill’s political transformation began during her time in therapy following her imprisonment. She started participating in online discussions about the riot and exposed herself to facts she had previously rejected. She stated her critical thinking returned after leaving what she now calls the “MAGA cult.”

Vows to Combat Misinformation

The grandmother testified that she has faced significant personal consequences for speaking out about January 6, including being doxxed online, harassed and physically assaulted. Despite these threats, she committed to continuing her efforts to counter false narratives about the attack.

“I can’t believe people are still disrespecting you and trying to lie about January the 6th. I will do everything I can to stop the lies about our brave officers like you who protected us during the attack.”

Hemphill referenced a plaque created to honor law enforcement who defended the Capitol that day, which has not yet been displayed. She made clear she would not stop advocating until the officers receive proper recognition.

“I cannot allow the Capitol officers to be lied about. How dare you. Until I can see that plaque get up there, I’m not done.”

Democrats Commemorate Fifth Anniversary

The hearing represented Democrats’ effort to preserve the historical record of the attack, which injured approximately 140 police officers and led to more than 1,500 arrests. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chaired the original House Select Committee that investigated January 6, warned against attempts to rewrite history.

“Some people want to rewrite the history of January 6 to ignore what we saw with our own eyes. We will not allow that to happen.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the House minority leader, characterized the attack as something that “will be shameful always and forever.”

Republican lawmakers declined to participate in the Democratic hearing, and Trump held a separate event where he continued efforts to downplay his responsibility for the violence. The White House recently launched a website portraying the events of that day dramatically differently from historical accounts.

Personal Consequences of Speaking Out

Hemphill acknowledged the risks of testifying publicly against Trump’s narrative but emphasized she could not remain silent while false claims persist about what occurred.

“Speaking about January the 6th has caused a great risk to my personal safety. I have been doxxed online, harassed, and physically assaulted. But I am here, and I don’t care. I won’t let it stop me.”

The former Trump supporter also addressed Trump’s June 2023 Truth Social post that referenced her case, responding at the time, “Please don’t be using me for anything, I’m not a victim of Jan6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty.”

Can personal accountability and truth-telling overcome political polarization, or will January 6 remain a dividing line in American politics?

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