Pence Sends Letter To Jan 6th Defendant
In a powerful moment of reflection and principle, former Vice President Mike Pence wrote a heartfelt letter this month to Pam Hemphill, a January 6 defendant who boldly refused a pardon from President Donald Trump. Pence praised her for standing firm on her beliefs and for showing unwavering respect for the rule of law.
Hemphill, a retired counselor and grandmother, was sentenced in 2022 to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to the Capitol riot. When President Trump offered sweeping pardons to hundreds of January 6 defendants upon returning to the White House, Hemphill made a rare and stunning decision: she said no.
“To accept a pardon would dishonor our police, our justice system, and our country,” Hemphill said in a BBC interview. She called the actions of Capitol rioters “wrong” and said accepting clemency would betray her values.
Her decision caught the attention of Pence, who sent a personal letter praising her courage and accountability.
“Your honorable decision speaks volumes about your commitment to the Rule of Law,” Pence wrote. “I wanted to pass along my genuine respect. Your willingness to take responsibility has inspired countless Americans through your example of faith and integrity.”
A spokesman for Pence confirmed the letter is authentic.
Hemphill later posted the letter on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“This journey has been long and painful, but this letter makes every hardship, every smear, every sleepless night worth it.”
In a separate statement to The Hill, Hemphill said rejecting the pardon was part of her “amends to the nation” and accused Trump of “gaslighting” and promoting “a narcissistic movement.” She warned that Americans should be vigilant against what she described as a “dangerous MAGA cult.”
Pence’s Actions on January 6 Still Reverberate
On January 6, 2021, Pence was inside the Capitol, presiding over the certification of the 2020 presidential election. When President Trump called for Pence to reject the results, Pence refused—insisting he had no constitutional authority to do so.
As rioters breached the Capitol, chanting threats including “Hang Mike Pence,” Secret Service agents rushed him and his family to an underground secure location. He remained there for hours, ultimately completing the certification process that evening.
Pence has repeatedly condemned Trump’s conduct on that day and defended his decision to uphold the Constitution, even under threat.
“Mike Pence put his life on the line for this country,” Hemphill said. “He honored his oath.”
Trump’s Pardons Stir Debate Across America
President Trump’s controversial pardon wave covered more than 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 protests and Capitol breach. That included members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers—two groups whose leaders faced lengthy prison sentences for their roles in the riot.
While many on the right celebrated the pardons as correcting political overreach by the Biden-era Justice Department, Hemphill’s public rejection stands out as a unique moment of moral clarity for some conservatives.
Her actions—and Pence’s letter—are now sparking renewed conversations about accountability, leadership, and the future of the Republican Party.
