2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons: Why Not Trump?

Table of Contents

A Stark Contrast: Accountability vs. Denial–2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons

2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons. Jason Riddle and Pamela Hemphill, two convicted participants in the January 6 attack, recently took an extraordinary step: they rejected presidential pardons offered by Donald Trump. A Lesson in Accountability Trump Refuses to Learn. Their actions sharply contrast with the insurrectionists who continue to defend their roles in one of the darkest chapters in American history.

Riddle, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Hemphill, a 71-year-old grandmother, acknowledged their actions as indefensible. Their message was clear: accountability matters.
Riddle committed misdemeanors, including stealing a book, drinking wine in the Capitol, and damaging property. He served 90 days in prison and paid a $750 fine.

Hemphill received 60 days of imprisonment and probation for picketing inside the Capitol. Despite Trump’s promise to grant clemency to over 1,500 January 6 participants if reelected, both rejected his offer.

Why? Because accepting the pardon would align them with Trump’s false narrative that the insurrection was a “peaceful protest” and that its participants were patriots rather than rioters.

“I did those things, and they weren’t pardonable,” Riddle stated. Hemphill, rejecting the pardon outright, argued that it would perpetuate propaganda surrounding January 6. Their rejection highlights an ability to self-reflect—something Donald Trump has never displayed.

Trump’s Cry-Baby Chaos and Denial vs 2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons taking on responsibility for their acts.

Trump’s refusal to accept accountability for January 6 exemplifies his ongoing strategy: deny, deflect, and distract. Even as overwhelming evidence ties him directly to the Capitol assault, he paints himself as the victim of a political witch hunt. On January 6, Trump incited the crowd with his now-infamous words: “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Yet, he has consistently downplayed his responsibility, claiming he never intended violence.

So Trump lays all responsibility for the insurrection on the participants as if he were somehow innocent of urging the rioters on with his words. Thus far 2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons and in doing so, claim responsibility for their acts. A genuine act of patriotism.

This denial is not new. Trump has built his career on chaos and blame-shifting. From indictments on falsifying business records to election interference, his response has been the same: blame courts, Democrats, the media, and even his former allies. By rewriting history and undermining democratic norms, Trump’s actions reveal not just a personal failing but a dangerous precedent.

The Cult of Personality: 2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons for Unpardonable Acts

For years, Trump’s cult of personality has blinded many supporters to his faults. His unwillingness to accept any responsibility for January 6 has become a loyalty test for his base. While Riddle and Hemphill rejected his narrative, many insurrectionists remained loyal. Trump’s influence comes from his self-portrayal as a victim—a billionaire allegedly under attack by shadowy forces.

But his victim narrative falters when contrasted with the real consequences faced by those who followed him. While Trump remains ensconced in luxury at Mar-a-Lago, his followers face imprisonment, financial ruin, and public disgrace. Hemphill’s rejection of the pardon underscores this hypocrisy, as accepting clemency would have meant complicity in Trump’s ongoing grift: exploiting ordinary people for personal gain.

Even worse, Trump profits from this manipulation. Fundraising efforts, supposedly for his legal defense, often funnel money into his political operations. His shameless exploitation of his supporters highlights the disparity between his rhetoric and his actions.

Accountability and Responsibility: 2 Pillars of Democracy

Riddle and Hemphill’s rejections illuminate the broader erosion of accountability in American politics. Their actions remind us that integrity can resist political manipulation. By refusing Trump’s pardon, they challenge his narrative and emphasize the importance of confronting the reality of their actions.

Accountability is foundational to democracy. Without it, leaders can act with impunity, undermining trust in institutions. Trump’s refusal to accept responsibility sends a dangerous message: power can rewrite history and evade justice.

However, Riddle and Hemphill’s courage offers hope. Their decisions reflect a commitment to truth and integrity, reminding us that individuals can resist dangerous narratives.

Trump’s Strategy: Divide and Distract Yet 2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons based on their ethical compass.

Trump’s chaos strategy relies on division and distraction. By framing the January 6 attackers as patriots and himself as their savior, he deflects blame and reframes the event as heroism. This deliberate propaganda deepens American divisions.

Trump’s deflections aim to muddy accountability. By spreading disinformation and undermining trust in institutions, he minimizes scrutiny of his actions. However, cracks are forming in his narrative. The rejection of his pardons by Riddle and Hemphill forces a reckoning with the truth of January 6: it was a violent attack on democracy, incited by a president unwilling to accept electoral defeat.

The Path Forward

The actions of Riddle and Hemphill offer a roadmap for moving forward. Their refusal of Trump’s pardons highlights the importance of moral accountability, even when inconvenient. Their courage stands in stark contrast to Trump’s deflection, showing the need for leaders who prioritize integrity.

The path forward requires a commitment to truth. As Trump distorts reality, ordinary citizens must resist his narrative. Holding leaders accountable transcends political affiliations—it is vital to democracy.

Riddle and Hemphill’s decisions show that accountability starts with individuals. By accepting the consequences of their actions without excuses, they exemplify integrity in a political climate dominated by denial. Their choices challenge others to prioritize truth over loyalty, even when difficult.
Conclusion: Why Not Trump?

If Riddle and Hemphill can accept responsibility, why can’t Trump? His evasion reflects his character: he thrives on chaos, denial, and manipulation. His inability to take responsibility for January 6 endangers democracy.

Trump’s tactics may win him loyalty among his base, but they erode the principles of accountability and integrity. His refusal to face the truth contrasts sharply with Riddle and Hemphill’s courage.

That 2 Jan 6th Rioters Reject Pardons reminds us that accountability is not just political—it is moral and ethical. As the nation confronts January 6’s legacy, Riddle and Hemphill’s actions offer hope. They show that integrity can prevail over manipulation. Their decisions challenge us to demand more from leaders, including Trump. The burning question here is simply this: If two ordinary citizens can accept accountability, why can’t the man who inspired their actions?

Suggestions for Further Reading

Timothy Snyder – On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017): A concise guide on resisting authoritarianism.

Barton Gellman – Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State (2020): Examines power, accountability, and privacy.

Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker – I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump’s Catastrophic Final Year (2021): Chronicles Trump’s last year in office.

Fiona Hill – There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century (2021): Analyzes systemic challenges to democracy.

Cass R. Sunstein – Impeachment: A Citizen’s Guide (2017): Explains the role of accountability in the U.S. Constitution.

Jennifer Rubin – Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump (2021): Highlights women’s role in preserving democratic norms.

Anne Applebaum – Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism (2020): Explores the erosion of democratic values worldwide.

Michael Wolff – Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House (2018): Investigates Trump’s chaotic leadership and its impact.

Robert Reich – The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It (2020): Critiques political and economic inequalities.

Lawrence Wright – The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (2006): Provides context for understanding political manipulation and division.

DISCLAIMER: The images on this page, and across the whole blog are created using AI imaging and are intended to illustrate the argument in the post. They are NOT representing real people or events directly, rather the images enhance the argument and nothing more. We do not intend any offense, nor do we wish to single out individuals in any way by the images themselves.