From Capitol Riot for Trump to Supporting Kamala Harris in November

Pamela Hemphill received an unexpected Christmas gift from her brother in 2021 when she flew from her hometown of Boise, Idaho, to Washington, D.C., to attend a “Stop the Steal” rally featuring Donald Trump on January 6. As a long-time supporter of Trump, having voted for him in both 2016 and 2020, she was excited to experience what she had only seen on television. However, the atmosphere of the rally turned out to be vastly different from her expectations.

Arriving late to the rally, Hemphill quickly learned that Trump would be heading to the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying the results of the 2020 election and confirming President Joe Biden’s victory. After undergoing breast cancer surgery just weeks earlier, she found herself drawn into a crowd of supporters, many of whom were part of far-right extremist groups like the Proud Boys.

With her phone mounted on a selfie stick, Hemphill documented her experience as she walked inside the Capitol. Eventually, she was escorted out by law enforcement. This moment marked a turning point in her life, as her actions led to a two-month jail sentence, three years of probation, and a $500 restitution after she pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count related to her presence at the Capitol.

In the aftermath of that day, Hemphill’s perspective shifted dramatically. She has since referred to January 6 as “the worst day in our history.” Now, she plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming general election, emphasizing the importance of preserving democracy. “We got to save our democracy, because Trump wants to turn this into a dictatorship,” she remarked, highlighting her evolution from a staunch Trump supporter to a critic.

Interestingly, Hemphill had only voted for a Democrat once before, during Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, drawn by his policies and intelligence. Typically, she followed her family’s recommendations, most of whom supported Trump. She now realizes that she was influenced significantly by the information they presented. “I didn’t realize that brainwashing was happening with Trump in 2016,” she shared, acknowledging that she often took her family’s views at face value without doing her own research.

Initially, Trump’s tough stance on immigration resonated with Hemphill, as he portrayed immigrants as threats to the nation. Such rhetoric, which included labeling immigrants from Mexico as “rapists,” contributed to an environment of fear. This was compounded by societal changes that triggered feelings of powerlessness among his supporters, as noted by Sunmin Kim, an assistant professor of sociology at Dartmouth College.

The night before the Capitol riot, Hemphill attended an event featuring far-right radio host Alex Jones. Court documents revealed that she was captured on video urging others to occupy the Capitol and expressing confidence in Trump’s return to office. Reflecting on her actions, she described them as a “scar” she must carry for life, feeling deep shame for being part of the chaos, even if she didn’t initially recognize the lawbreaking involved.

Gradually, exposure to factual information helped her move away from the MAGA crowd. Time spent in prison forced her to reevaluate her support for Trump and the misinformation surrounding the 2020 election. In an open letter to Congress, Hemphill took responsibility for her actions, stating, “I am not a victim of the government” and expressing no sense of victimization regarding her prosecution.

After Trump criticized her sentencing on social media, she responded with clarity, asserting her accountability. “Please don’t be using me for anything… I’m not a victim,” she tweeted, emphasizing her understanding of the consequences of her choices.

As the upcoming election looms, Hemphill views it as crucial for the preservation of democracy. She remarked on Project 2025, an extensive plan by The Heritage Foundation aimed at reshaping the federal government, condemning its potential authoritarian implications. Despite Trump’s distancing, many figures from his administration contributed to the plan.

While Trump faces multiple criminal indictments linked to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Hemphill believes he portrays himself as a defender of freedom against a radical left. “Trump makes you believe he’s a warrior… to keep the radical left from taking away your freedom,” she noted.

Having previously lived in South Carolina before returning to Idaho, Hemphill supported Biden in the South Carolina primaries. With Biden now exiting the race, she has turned her support toward Harris. Hemphill appreciates Harris’s initiatives on mental health, affordable housing, and her background in law enforcement.

The political shift has not come without personal cost. Hemphill noted that her boyfriend of twelve years left her due to her evolving political views. She has encountered death threats and smear campaigns, stating that it’s scary but necessary for her to contribute positively to the nation. “It’s my way of making amends to the country for even being there,” she expressed, emphasizing her desire to help despite her own fears.

Source: USA TODAY