January 6 Capitol Attackers Reject Trump's Pardon, Call for Accountability

Washington, D.C. - Two individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots have publicly rejected the pardon issued by former President Donald Trump. Jason Riddle and Pamela Hemphill stated that accepting the clemency would undermine their accountability and perpetuate the false narrative that the attack was a peaceful protest.

Hemphill, 71, who served a 60-day misdemeanour sentence and is on probation after pleading guilty in 2022, expressed her belief that she must take responsibility for her actions during an attempt to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's election victory. She emphasized that accepting the pardon would contribute to misleading propaganda about the riots.

Riddle, a U.S. Navy veteran who received a 90-day prison sentence and a fine for his misdemeanours during the attack, echoed similar sentiments. He stated that rejecting the pardon could improve his job prospects, highlighting concerns that a presidential pardon might draw unwanted attention to his criminal background.

Both Riddle and Hemphill reflect a growing sentiment among some convicted participants who seek to distance themselves from the contentious narrative surrounding the events of January 6. They agree that acknowledging the severity of their actions is important, rather than dismissing them under a presidential pardon.

The Capitol assault was incited by a speech from Trump, wherein he claimed falsely that he had won the 2020 presidential election, urging his supporters to march on Congress. Although Trump was charged with conspiracy regarding the election overturn efforts, those charges were dropped once he regained the presidency.