A Capitol riot participant has refused a pardon from former President Donald Trump, accusing him of disregarding the law.
Pam Hemphill, who took part in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots aimed at overturning President Joe Biden’s election victory, has become a vocal critic of Trump. The South Carolina resident was sentenced to two months in prison and three years of probation.
On Monday, following his inauguration, Trump issued a blanket pardon for all imprisoned protesters, fulfilling a campaign promise. Hemphill, however, rejected the offer, condemning the decision.
“Every one of them gaslight you and try to have you feel sorry for them that the Capitol police attacked them, that they were the victims that day. They were not the victims. They were the perpetrators. It was an insurrection. They know exactly what they were doing,” she told CNN on Tuesday.
She also expressed dismay at the decision to free those with criminal records. “It’s just so difficult to wrap around my head right now that Trump could let these criminals out, some of them had criminal records before January 6.”
In a separate video, Hemphill stated her refusal of the pardon: “I will not accept a pardon because that would be an insult to the Capitol police officers, to the rule of law and to the nation.”
Now an activist, she said she was unfazed by Republican backlash and smear campaigns against her.
In the aftermath of the riot, Congress created a committee to investigate the events and underlying causes of the insurrection. Nearly 1,600 people faced charges, with 1,270 convicted and only two acquitted.
In his final hours as president, Biden issued pardons for members of the investigative committee, reportedly out of concern over possible retaliation from Trump.
Biden defended his actions, stating that issuing pardons was not an admission of guilt.
