As I am sure most of you know by now, Donald Trump issued a blanket pardon for more than 1,500 J6 defendants as soon as he took office.
Most of them were thankful for the pardon, but there was at least one defendant who did not want the pardon.
Pamela Hemphill rejected the pardon, saying that she wanted to keep the charges on her record because she broke the law and deserved her sentence.
No Thanks
Hemphill actually sounded bitter in turning down her pardon.
She stated, “Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol Police officers, rule of law and, of course, our nation.
“We were wrong that day. We broke the law. There should be no pardons.”
Hemphill was not a violent offender, having pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of parading, demonstrating, or picketing at the Capitol.
She did two months in jail and had to pay $500 restitution. She also has three years probation.
Hemphill added, “I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon also would serve to contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative.”
She, of course, is speaking of Trump’s narrative that the 2020 election was rigged against him, something he continued to push at his inauguration.
Unfortunately, for Hemphill, she really doesn’t have a choice in regard to the pardon.
Once Trump issued the pardons, they are in, even if she does not sign the paperwork to accept it.
Trump does not need her permission, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out and if the “crime” is removed from her record or if they honor her request to allow the charges to remain.
So far, Hemphill is the only person that I have seen reject the pardon, as most of them are relishing in the fact the charges were finally pardoned.
That would include the members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who Trump released.