The “MAGA Granny,” Pamela Hemphill, offered an emotional apology to Capitol Police officers during a hearing commemorating the fifth anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. This hearing, reconvened by Democrats, allowed witnesses and lawmakers to reflect on the events of that day. Despite a previous recommendation to prosecute Trump on federal charges, Hemphill refused a pardon offered by Trump in his second term to 1500 individuals charged in connection to the riot.
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The article details the story of Thomas Webster, a former police officer who was present at the January 6th Capitol riot. Webster, swayed by Donald Trump’s rhetoric and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, drove to Washington, D.C. where he assaulted a police officer. Following his conviction, Webster was sentenced to prison, but was later pardoned by Trump. Despite the pardon, and now living in Mississippi, Webster still believes the election was stolen. The article concludes by highlighting Webster’s continued struggles with the events of that day and the difficulty in reconciling his actions with his self-perception as a patriot.
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Following Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025, former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell received the devastating news that Trump had pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted for their actions during the January 6th Capitol riot, including those who had injured officers. Gonell and other officers, like Daniel Hodges, who defended the Capitol that day, have struggled to cope with the aftermath, particularly given the downplaying of the violence by Trump and some Republican lawmakers. Despite improvements in safety and support within the Capitol Police department, officers like Gonell and Eveland continue to face challenges, including public skepticism and the emotional toll of the events. While some officers have found ways to move forward, others are still grappling with the physical and psychological scars of that day.
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Jack Smith, the former special counsel, testified before the House Judiciary Committee, defending the investigations into Donald Trump and rejecting accusations of political motivations. Smith asserted that Trump was the “most culpable and most responsible person” for the January 6th Capitol riot, emphasizing that the event would not have occurred without Trump’s actions. The deposition revealed that Smith’s case relied heavily on evidence from Republican allies and supporters, highlighting Trump’s role in inciting the riot and his subsequent refusal to quell the violence. Smith also defended the acquisition of phone records of GOP lawmakers, arguing that accountability should lie with Trump.
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Former special counsel Jack Smith stated that Donald Trump was the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the January 6th Capitol riot, emphasizing that the attack wouldn’t have occurred without him. During a closed-door deposition released by the House Judiciary Committee, Smith defended his investigations, rejecting claims of political motivation, and asserted that evidence, including testimony from Trump allies, strongly supported the charges against him. Smith highlighted Trump’s actions leading up to the riot, including spreading false claims of election fraud and inciting supporters to march to the Capitol, as well as his reluctance to stop the violence once it began. Smith also defended the acquisition of phone records of Republican lawmakers who communicated with Trump on January 6th as a crucial part of the investigation.
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During a recent event, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that no corporate-made infant formula could surpass the nutritional value of breast milk. The event also featured Representative Duffy, who humorously acknowledged the unusual nature of three men discussing breastfeeding and options for nursing. The focus then shifted to the lack of adequate nursing facilities in airports, with conservative content creator Isabel Brown addressing the issue. Notably, Paul Saladino, known for promoting pseudoscience, did not contribute to the discussion on breastfeeding.
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Andrew Paul Johnson, who received a pardon from former President Trump for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot, has been arrested in Florida on charges of child molestation. The arrest came after a months-long investigation and involved allegations of Johnson attempting to silence the victim, using the potential payout from his Jan. 6 involvement as leverage. Johnson was accused of committing lewd and lascivious acts on the child. Further investigation revealed that Johnson had expressed an intent to include the child in his will, allegedly to prevent him from revealing Johnson’s actions.
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Taake, previously charged with sex crimes in Texas, was convicted of assaulting a police officer at the Capitol with bear spray and a whip during the January 6th riots. Despite the severity of his actions, which occurred while he was out on bond, Taake’s time served for the January 6th charges was credited toward his earlier sex crimes due to a blanket pardon, resulting in a significantly reduced sentence. He displayed no remorse for his actions and denied responsibility. His actions at the Capitol were deemed violent and not protected by the First Amendment.
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Following the January 6th Capitol attack, then-President Trump’s team has been in conflict with various media outlets, including the BBC, over their reporting. The controversy stems from the BBC’s editing of a speech Trump gave before the riot, in which he urged his supporters to “fight like hell.” Despite the availability of the full speech, Trump’s camp has criticized the BBC, which echoes the sentiment that the media has portrayed “fake news.” This backlash highlights the challenges of reporting on Trump, where any criticism is seen as bias.
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Moynihan, convicted for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot, was captured on video breaching security and searching Senate documents, even expressing a desire to use them against perceived enemies. Despite being sentenced to nearly two years in prison, he was released due to a pardon from Donald Trump. However, Moynihan has been rearrested, becoming the first pardoned rioter to face new charges related to alleged political violence. Other January 6th participants granted clemency have also encountered legal issues since their release.
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John Q. Hosedrinker