The political scene in America is like a spinning wheel, with new issues coming up almost every day. Amidst all the war-related news, former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly commended Pamela Hemphill, a woman convicted for her involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, for her decision to reject a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
In a letter shared by Hemphill on social media on Tuesday, Mike Pence applauded her choice, writing, “Your honorable decision speaks volumes about your commitment to the Rule of Law. I am certain that your willingness to accept responsibility has inspired many Americans through your example of integrity and faith.” Mike Pence served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 during Donald Trump’s first term.
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As per The HuffPost, Hemphill, widely known online as “MAGA Granny,” previously served two months in federal prison and remains on probation after pleading guilty to an offence related to her taking part in the riot.
At the beginning of June, she told CNN’s Pamela Brown that she refused Trump’s pardon because she didn’t want to be part of his “narrative,” calling it a “slap in the face” to both Capitol police officers and the rule of law.
“The cost of continuing to lie or be dishonest with yourself—it’s not worth it,” she said. “Anything they want to do to me, it’s OK. I’m not worried about anything.” Reacting to Pence’s letter on X (formerly Twitter), Hemphill wrote, “It’s been a long and hard journey, but this letter I received today has made every heartache, smear campaign, and sleepless night more than worth it!”
It’s been a long and hard journey, but this letter I received today has made every heartache, smear campaign and sleepless night more than worth it! pic.twitter.com/cr2SzyujkT
— Pam Hemphill (@PamHemphill79) June 25, 2025
For context, the infamous riot that took place in 2021 saw a lot of violence and began after Congress met to confirm the results of the 2020 election, when a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Rioters indulged in vandalism and broke windows, damaged offices, and threatened officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, for refusing to help Trump overturn the election. Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer who was beaten by the crowd.
Reportedly, radical Trump supporters were planning the attack for weeks and believed some claims from a bunch of fake voters, which Trump and some lawmakers like Mo Brooks, Paul Gosar, Josh Hawley, and Ted Cruz helped spread. On the morning of the riot, Trump told the crowd to go to the Capitol and “fight.”
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Many individuals still wonder how the rioters were able to get in so easily and why help took so long to arrive. There were only about 1,400 Capitol Police officers on duty, and the National Guard didn’t show up for hours. Reports later said the Pentagon, under Donald Trump’s authority, delayed sending them in at first. (via America Oversight).
Even after the brutal protest, Donald Trump was posting updates and praising his supporters, calling them “patriots” and saying they would have a “GIANT VOICE long into the future.” Hence, after immense social media backlash, Twitter authorities decided to ban his account from the platform.
In an official statement, Twitter said, “For government accounts, such as @POTUS and @WhiteHouse, we will not suspend those accounts but will take action to limit their use. However, these accounts will be transitioned over to the new administration in due course and will not be suspended by Twitter unless absolutely necessary to alleviate real-world harm.”
Then, in October 2021, Donald Trump announced the launch of his social media platform, Truth Social, owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). Meanwhile, Mike Pence slammed Trump’s post-election conduct, including the mass pardons issued for more than 1,500 individuals involved in the riot.
Speaking to CNN last month, Pence said he was “deeply disappointed” by Trump’s decision to grant those pardons, calling it “the wrong message.”
