"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) said she saw the Trump administration as trying to "rewrite history and I don't want to be part of that". "We were wrong that day, we broke the law - there should be no pardons," she told the BBC.
The move has drawn an uneasy reaction from only a very few some Republican politicians. Senator Thom Tillis, from North Carolina, said he "just can't agree" with the move, adding that it "raises legitimate safety issues on Capitol Hill". Another Republican US senator, James Lankford from Oklahoma, told CNN: "I think we need to continue to say we are a party of law and order." He added: "I think if you attack a police officer, that's a very serious issue and they should pay a price for that."
In a joint statement with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) said it was “deeply discouraged” by recent pardons and commutations given by Trump to those who have been convicted of killing or assaulting police.
It reads, “Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.”
“When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence,” the statement continued.
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