Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Maraya1969

(23,226 posts)
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:21 AM Jan 22

This woman has class, turns down fucker's pardon

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvged988377o

Convicted US Capitol rioter turns down Trump pardon

One of the people who served jail time for taking part in the US Capitol riot four years ago has refused a pardon from President Donald Trump, saying: "We were wrong that day."

Pamela Hemphill, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in prison, told the BBC that there should be no pardons for the riot on 6 January 2021.

"Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol police officers, rule of law and, of course, our nation," she said.

"I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon also would serve to contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative."


Hemphill, who was nicknamed the "Maga granny" by social media users - in reference to Trump's "make America great again" slogan - said she saw the Trump government as trying to "rewrite history and I don't want to be part of that".


.webp
49 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
This woman has class, turns down fucker's pardon (Original Post) Maraya1969 Jan 22 OP
Brava. It seems to be the old ladies who are most likely to do the right thing. Ocelot II Jan 22 #1
Agree, from an old lady. And we are the weakest but the bravest. Walleye Jan 22 #3
Not 3auld6phart Jan 22 #21
Yep. Walleye Jan 22 #25
And there are LOTS of us. calimary Jan 22 #29
The grandmothers of the disappeared in Argentina delisen Jan 22 #7
Good for her. 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 22 #2
Brava! SheltieLover Jan 22 #4
Whoa. Thank you for posting this. CBHagman Jan 22 #5
Lady! Let me tell ya. You just brightened my day. Welcome to reality. Love ya! chouchou Jan 22 #6
Good one on her! peggysue2 Jan 22 #8
You can always choose to do the right thing gypsy11 Jan 22 #9
So shines a good deed in a weary world kerouac2 Jan 22 #10
She can't turn down a presidential pardon. Jacson6 Jan 22 #11
Actually, she can decline a pardon localroger Jan 22 #22
though you can't commute the sentence of someone who has already completed their sentence. (n/t) thesquanderer Jan 22 #30
Informative post. Thanks. nt Frank D. Lincoln Jan 22 #34
Well she can flip a finger or maybe symbolically tear up the paper or whatever. She is one of the last honorable folks! dutch777 Jan 22 #27
I think declining the pardon is more than symbolic. thesquanderer Jan 22 #31
She's in her early 70s. Igel Jan 22 #38
Yeah, esp. at this point in her life, a misdemeanor on her record isn't likely to cause her concern. Nevertheless... thesquanderer Jan 22 #39
Dang 3auld6phart Jan 22 #43
Good for her. Not taking anything moonscape Jan 22 #12
THIS is what TFG should fear more than anything orangecrush Jan 22 #13
MAGAT's going to ridicule and shame her. NoMoreRepugs Jan 22 #14
At the least. durablend Jan 22 #23
And threaten. Magat's love to threaten. GoodRaisin Jan 22 #40
Oh wow! I want to shake this woman's hand! yardwork Jan 22 #15
Thank you, Maraya1969! Kid Berwyn Jan 22 #16
Here's a couple interviews with her Wiz Imp Jan 22 #17
Why don't you do an OP? ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #18
I can do that. These aren't new interviews and I'm sure have been posted here before Wiz Imp Jan 22 #20
Go for it! ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #28
deprogrammed. William769 Jan 22 #19
Thank you Grandmother BoRaGard Jan 22 #24
She learned a lot. flamingdem Jan 22 #26
Well good Figarosmom Jan 22 #32
Thank you Pamela Hemphill, may you stay safe Ohioboy Jan 22 #33
I'm greatly moved by Pamela Hemphill. God bless her. nt Frank D. Lincoln Jan 22 #35
Thank You! Marcus Aurelius Jan 22 #36
people can learn from their mistakes 4catsmom Jan 22 #37
I hope she has protection from magats. nt Ilsa Jan 22 #41
A little hope MFM008 Jan 22 #42
A bright light in a sea of darkness Dem4life1970 Jan 22 #44
I can't use class to describe anyone who rebelled against the Unoited States on 1-6-21. Gore1FL Jan 22 #45
TY... Wow, she is Amazing and she Cha Jan 22 #46
One out of 1,600 is remorseful. phxjurist Jan 22 #47
Look Donny Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jan 22 #48
Someone commented on Steve Schmidt's "The Warning" Substack yesterday soldierant Jan 23 #49

Ocelot II

(123,794 posts)
1. Brava. It seems to be the old ladies who are most likely to do the right thing.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:23 AM
Jan 22

Old ladies rule.

delisen

(6,838 posts)
7. The grandmothers of the disappeared in Argentina
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:36 AM
Jan 22

also were the ones who stood up to the hideous dictatorship.

CBHagman

(17,227 posts)
5. Whoa. Thank you for posting this.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:30 AM
Jan 22

It's another proof that people are able to surprise us.

It's another proof that truth-tellers of any background are history's helpers.

peggysue2

(11,709 posts)
8. Good one on her!
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:40 AM
Jan 22

Speak Truth to Power regardless of who you are. One more American who has seen the light. Keep it going.

gypsy11

(385 posts)
9. You can always choose to do the right thing
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:43 AM
Jan 22

Even if you’ve chosen to do the wrong thing first. This woman has my respect.

kerouac2

(1,128 posts)
10. So shines a good deed in a weary world
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:54 AM
Jan 22

So at least one person took responsibility for their actions ... Wanna bet she gets heat for it tho

Jacson6

(1,094 posts)
11. She can't turn down a presidential pardon.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:56 AM
Jan 22

Just like she can't turn day a trial and sentencing.

Just stating a fact, but I agree with her sentiment.

localroger

(3,747 posts)
22. Actually, she can decline a pardon
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 12:03 PM
Jan 22

This was affirmed by the SC twice. However, she can't decline a commutation, or reduction in her sentence, which still leaves her conviction on record. Basically a pardon must be accepted to be complete, but a commutation just amounts to them opening the door and asking you to clear the cell for the next guy. Legal scholars have even said that a President may "have his way" with a prisoner who declines a pardon by issuing a commutation instead.

thesquanderer

(12,536 posts)
30. though you can't commute the sentence of someone who has already completed their sentence. (n/t)
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 12:36 PM
Jan 22

dutch777

(4,091 posts)
27. Well she can flip a finger or maybe symbolically tear up the paper or whatever. She is one of the last honorable folks!
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 12:18 PM
Jan 22

thesquanderer

(12,536 posts)
31. I think declining the pardon is more than symbolic.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 12:38 PM
Jan 22

As I understand it, she's already completed her sentence, but it remains on her record as a conviction. Accepting the pardon would essentially erase that.

Igel

(36,646 posts)
38. She's in her early 70s.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 03:12 PM
Jan 22

And was convicted of a misdemeanor, protesting/demonstrating in a Capitol building. It was pled down from 3 misdemeanors, per the Great Wiki. Prosecutors allegedly argued that she exaggerated an injury to distract LEOs.

A good number of protestors have occupied Capitol buildings in the last few years. Some over Roe, a lot repeatedly over Gaza in the last 15 months. They're pretty much never charged.

Lots of people have a misdemeanor on their records.

thesquanderer

(12,536 posts)
39. Yeah, esp. at this point in her life, a misdemeanor on her record isn't likely to cause her concern. Nevertheless...
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 04:47 PM
Jan 22

...she is choosing not to have it expunged. Instead, she wants to accept responsibility for her actions.

3auld6phart

(1,485 posts)
43. Dang
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 07:28 PM
Jan 22

The elder has more guts, than Shit stains weird kids Eric and Don jnr. Begging for pardons which they didn’t bet…. Damn I look forward to to seeing the Obituary of that orange filth, oh we’ll eventually Soon.

moonscape

(5,478 posts)
12. Good for her. Not taking anything
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:57 AM
Jan 22

away from her, but would have been amazing if someone who had time left to serve had joined her in this.

orangecrush

(23,841 posts)
13. THIS is what TFG should fear more than anything
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 11:02 AM
Jan 22

I hope he goes to far and sees this happen en masse.

Wiz Imp

(4,409 posts)
17. Here's a couple interviews with her
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 11:21 AM
Jan 22

This first one is relatively short (abut 5 minutes)



This second one is very long (35 minutes) but well worth watching.

Wiz Imp

(4,409 posts)
20. I can do that. These aren't new interviews and I'm sure have been posted here before
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 11:55 AM
Jan 22

but if people think it will reach more people, I can do a new post on it.

Marcus Aurelius

(3 posts)
36. Thank You!
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 01:49 PM
Jan 22

Character counts and this lady is from a different era, when character was more important than anything else.

Unfortunately today, “winning” is placed above the country we’re claiming to love.

4catsmom

(612 posts)
37. people can learn from their mistakes
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 02:06 PM
Jan 22

she's seen the truth and not afraid to say so. We need more like her

MFM008

(20,039 posts)
42. A little hope
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 05:02 PM
Jan 22

Some may be coming to their senses it's taking a while but who are we to judge anybody but Trump.

Gore1FL

(22,335 posts)
45. I can't use class to describe anyone who rebelled against the Unoited States on 1-6-21.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 09:10 PM
Jan 22

I do enjoy a good redemption story, though.

soldierant

(8,284 posts)
49. Someone commented on Steve Schmidt's "The Warning" Substack yesterday
Thu Jan 23, 2025, 12:12 AM
Jan 23

"Are there no Republicans that want to save this country?"

Well, yes there are. She's one

But you have to look in the right places, Republicans who are in office, elected ot appointed - you won't find any there.

You have to look in communities. And need I add you have to be patient?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»This woman has class, tur...