Pamela Hemphill, a 70-year-old breast cancer survivor, made headlines when she served jail time for her participation in the January 6th Capitol riot. However, she has recently gone viral for a different reason. Hemphill has distanced herself from the MAGA movement and publicly called out former President Donald Trump for using her story for political gain.
After serving her time in prison and undergoing a personal transformation, Hemphill now wants nothing to do with what she refers to as “Trump’s cult.”
She has spoken out against the former president’s divisive tactics and the false claims he made about the 2020 election.
Hemphill’s case garnered attention when she was sentenced in May 2022 to 60 days in jail, 36 months of probation, and a $500 restitution for her involvement in the Capitol insurrection. She pleaded guilty to the charge of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. However, her sentence was not the focus of her recent viral moment.
During her time in federal prison in Dublin, California, Hemphill started to question the claims made by Trump and the tactics used by his supporters. Gaslighting, narcissism, and manipulation were elements that Hemphill identified as prevalent within the MAGA movement. She acknowledged the struggle of breaking free from the hold of a cult-like mentality and encouraged others to speak out and seek the truth.
In response to Hemphill’s sentence, Trump shared a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, comparing her punishment to that of Hunter Biden. The post lamented that Hemphill received a harsher penalty than Biden, citing allegations of sharing classified documents and involvement in bribery schemes. Trump’s comment on the post added fuel to the fire, drawing attention to Hemphill’s case once again.
But, Hemphill was quick to distance herself from Trump’s narrative. She took to Twitter, addressing the former president directly and urging him to stop using her for political purposes.
Hemphill made it clear that she did not want to be portrayed as a victim and emphasized personal responsibility for her actions on January 6th.
“Don’t make us out to be the victims,” she said. “Nobody forced them to go inside the Capitol.”
“Please,” Hemphill wrote in a tweet directed at Trump, “don’t be using me for anything.”
A woman who stormed the Capitol on Trump's behalf is now repentant for her actions — and she now thinks the former president is the leader of a "cult."
— Vas (@crypticvalentin) June 28, 2023
In an interview with The Daily Beast, 70-year-old Idaho resident Pamela Hemphill said she was horrified when Trump recently…
While Trump has promised to help the so-called “J6 prisoners,” including those involved in the Capitol riot, Hemphill remains skeptical of his intentions. Despite the promises, she points out that Trump has not taken substantial action to support the approximately 1,000 individuals arrested in connection with the events of January 6th.
When people are willing to hear the facts they see Trump for what he is.
— Bluewave (@heidilwarren) June 27, 2023
“Please @realDonaldTrump don’t be using me for anything, I’m not a victim of Jan 6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty! #StopTheSpin,” Pamela Hemphill wrote on the platform. https://t.co/JdBNkDyFLM
Hemphill’s journey serves as a testament to the power of personal growth, critical thinking, and the courage to challenge one’s own beliefs. Her experience of being caught up in the fervor of the MAGA movement, serving her sentence, and ultimately distancing herself from Trump’s cult has resonated with many. It highlights the importance of independent thought and the need to question information presented by political figures.
In an age of misinformation and polarization, Pamela Hemphill’s story stands as a reminder that it’s never too late to seek the truth, break free from harmful ideologies, and encourage others to do the same.
Her journey of self-discovery and her willingness to speak out against manipulation and false narratives serve as a beacon of hope for those who are still struggling to find their own voice.
