At least two individuals who pleaded guilty to participating in the January 6th Capitol riot have turned down any notion of a pardon from Donald Trump. Instead, they argue that they deserve to face the consequences of their actions—no matter how much they once admired the former president.
“Shove His Pardon Up His A**”
Jason Riddle, a New Hampshire resident, admitted to “pilfering wine” and stealing a Senate procedure book during the riots. Once an avid Trump “obsessor,” he was later sentenced to 90 days in jail. Now, he wants no part of any pardon Trump has to offer.
“I’m guilty of the crimes I committed and accept the consequences,” he told ABC News, adding, “Trump can shove his pardon up his a**.”
Riddle credits his probation, which included alcohol treatment, for turning his life around. He says he no longer needs a “narcissistic bully” to feel better about himself.
“I Broke the Law. Pay the Price.”
Pamela Hemphill, a 71-year-old from Idaho known by some as “MAGA Granny,” also says she would reject a presidential pardon. Hemphill spent two months in federal prison after pushing past police barriers and rallying other rioters to enter the Capitol.
“They were criminals. They broke the law. I broke the law. Pay the price,” Hemphill explained, while clarifying she once believed the election was stolen but now views it as “a cult.”
Right to Refuse a Pardon
Under an 1833 Supreme Court ruling (US v Wilson), a person has the legal right to reject a presidential pardon. The Court found that if someone does not want to accept the pardon, the courts cannot force it upon them.
Both Riddle and Hemphill stand by their decisions, believing that accepting a pardon would send the wrong message. Hemphill sums it up: “If I took a pardon, that would mean what I did that day was OK.”
Lessons Learned
Riddle says he was dealing with alcoholism and fixated on Trump during the riot, but he’s now found peace through accountability. Hemphill similarly reveals that she viewed the event as a heroic stand against a fraudulent election—until she realised, in her words, she was in “a cult.”
Their stories reflect a striking contrast to those who still insist on innocence or justify the Capitol attack. For these two, at least, taking ownership of their crimes seems to be the path to moving forward.
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