US Capitol Attackers Reject Donald Trump's Pardons

Washington, DC: At least two individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots have openly rejected the pardons issued by President Donald Trump. Jason Riddle and Pamela Hemphill have stated that accepting the clemency would undermine the gravity of their actions and contribute to the narrative that the assault was a “peaceful protest.”

Speaking to The Guardian, 71-year-old Pamela Hemphill, who was sentenced to 60 days in prison and three years of probation for her involvement in the riots, expressed her decision to take responsibility for her actions. “Accepting Trump’s pardon would contribute to propaganda that [the attack] was a peaceful protest,” she said.

Similarly, US Navy veteran Jason Riddle, sentenced to 90 days in prison and fined $750 for his role in the riot, shared his reasons for rejecting the pardon during an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). He stated that rejecting the clemency aligns with his efforts to take accountability and would positively impact his future employment prospects.

“I don’t want the pardon. I reject it. It’s almost like [Trump] was trying to say it didn’t happen. And it happened. I did those things, and they weren’t pardonable,” Riddle said.

Their Roles in the Capitol Attack

Court documents reveal that on January 6, 2021, Riddle entered the Senate parliamentarian’s office, drank wine, stole a book, and caused damage to the Capitol. Hemphill had participated in attempts to prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory.

Reflecting on his actions, Riddle mentioned he was not in recovery for his alcohol addiction at the time. Since then, he has taken steps to rebuild his life, distancing himself from his earlier support for Trump.

Trump’s Blanket Pardons

After reclaiming the presidency in November 2024 by defeating Kamala Harris, President Trump issued blanket pardons or commutations to 1,500 individuals charged or convicted for their involvement in the Capitol riots.

Critics, including those rejecting the pardons, view the move as an attempt to rewrite the events of January 6. The attack had followed a fiery speech by Trump near the White House, where he reiterated false claims of election fraud and encouraged supporters to march on Congress.

Jason Riddle further criticized Trump’s recent calls for protests in light of legal challenges, stating, “Remember what happened at the [Capitol] riot? Someone might get hurt. Why would you ask people to protest?”

Context of the Capitol Riots

The January 6 attack remains a significant moment in US history, marked by efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. While Trump was charged with conspiring to overturn the election, the case did not proceed to trial and was dropped after his re-election.

Both Riddle and Hemphill’s decisions to reject the pardons underscore a desire to acknowledge the consequences of their actions and distance themselves from Trump’s narrative.