Pam Hemphill, a former Trump supporter who faced a two-month prison sentence for her involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, asserted on CNN’s NewsNight that former President Donald Trump actively desired the attack on the Capitol. Hemphill characterized Trump as a “cult leader” orchestrating the events that led to the infamous riot, as reported by Mediaite on Friday, December 1, 2023.
In an interview with Abby Phillip, Hemphill expressed her concerns about the trajectory of the Republican Party, claiming they aim to establish a dictatorship by 2025, posing a severe threat to democracy.
Hemphill delved into her experience on January 6, describing how she perceived Trump’s role in the events that unfolded. She stated, “A lot of people are starting to recognize Trump is a cult leader. He turned MAGA into a cult, and so they’re listening to– he gaslights ’em and gives out a lot of lies.”
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Her assertions extended beyond labeling Trump as a cult leader. Hemphill questioned Trump’s intentions on that fateful day, saying, “He knew the election wasn’t stolen, and why is he having everybody go down to the Capitol? See, when I got there, the crowd was so big, I couldn’t get through.”
Continuing, she shared her suspicions about Trump’s intentions: “So I feel like he had it all planned. That he wanted the people to attack the Capitol. That’s just my feeling, but no, he’s responsible because he said, ‘March down there.'”
Hemphill emphasized Trump’s words on that fateful day, stating, “He tries to use ‘Peacefully.’ No, he said, ‘Go fight like hell.’ That’s what he said, and he was talking to the wrong people because they took that literally.”
These assertions align with the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump’s role in the Capitol riot. When questioned about potential consequences for Trump, Hemphill expressed confidence in Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith, currently prosecuting Trump over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
“I think we can have a lot of faith in Jack Smith. He knows what he’s doing,” she stated. “He’s got the receipts, you know, and I think that, sadly, we’re going to have to wait till court for people to start realizing that Trump has lied about everything and Trump is a criminal. And he needs to have his day in court to be proven what we already know. That he is a criminal. He knows it.”
Notably, Hemphill revealed a shift in her political allegiance, stating she would be voting for President Joe Biden in the 2024 election. She concluded by expressing skepticism about Trump’s receptiveness to criticism, saying, “I don’t think anybody could say anything to him,” and expressing hope that Jack Smith’s legal proceedings would bring Trump to account for his actions.
In her final words, Hemphill urged Trump to “retire” and “get honest,” revealing a nuanced perspective that intertwines personal experiences, political insights, and anticipation for legal repercussions in the aftermath of the Capitol riot.
