Jan 6 Rioters Who Genuinely Recanted

Finding individuals who have genuinely recanted their views on the January 6th attack, specifically those who admit they were misled by Donald Trump, is rare. Most defendants expressed remorse primarily to receive lighter sentences but later reversed course (the “J6 Choir” phenomenon). From my perspective, 100% of these people are criminals and traitors to America, and we should remember January 6 as a more important date for the country than even September 11.

Even though Trump indiscriminately pardoned ALL of the rioters, there is a constantly updated list of nearly 100 crimes (currently) from those people AFTER the riot. The Jan. 6th Insurrectionists Crime Tracker is unbelievable. There is also a complete list of all the Jan 6 participants on Wikipedia. Unfortunately it’s not really a list that helps truly find and identify them online…

However, there are a few notable exceptions who’ve publicly reversed their positions, apologized to officers, or even rejected pardons. Personally I find it incredible that out of roughly 1,500 people we can’t find more than one handful who admit what they did was wrong. But the vast majority probably know and are deeply ashamed – just like the mob-mentality cowards they were when attacking the police that fateful day.

Jason Riddle (Rejected Pardon)

Jason Riddle is one of the very few known individuals to explicitly reject a pardon from Donald Trump. A Navy veteran who was convicted for his role in the riots (famously drinking wine inside the Capitol), he stated in January 2025 that he could not accept the pardon because he believes his actions were wrong and “weren’t pardonable.”

• His Statement: “It’s almost like [Trump] was trying to say it didn’t happen. And it happened. I did those things, and they weren’t pardonable. I don’t want the pardon. And I reject the pardon.”
• Source: Guardian Article on Riddle Rejecting Pardon

Stephen Ayres (Testified Against the “Big Lie”)

Stephen Ayres is perhaps the most prominent example of a rioter who publicly turned against the “Stop the Steal” narrative. He testified before the January 6th Committee, explaining how he was “duped” by social media and Trump’s rhetoric. After his testimony, he went viral for approaching the Capitol Police officers in the room to apologize directly to them.

• Key Quote: “I felt like I had horse blinders on. I was locked in the whole time… basically, we were just following what he [Trump] said.”
• Video – Apology to Officers: Stephen Ayres apologizes to officers after House testimony

Robert Palmer (Wrote Letter Denouncing Trump)

Robert Palmer received one of the longest sentences (63 months) for throwing a fire extinguisher at police. While many rioters blamed the police, Palmer wrote a handwritten letter to the judge expressing deep realization that he had been manipulated.

• His Statement: In his letter, he wrote that he realized Trump had lied to them and that the rioters, not the police, were the “tyrannical ones desperate to hold on to power at any cost.” He expressed that he was “horrified” and “absolutely devastated” by his own actions.

Pamela Hemphill

For completeness, here is the context on “MAGA Granny” Pamela Hemphill. She has become a vocal advocate against the “Big Lie,” spending her time debunking J6 conspiracy theories on social media and apologizing to the Capitol Police.

Note on “Fake” Reversals

Many defendants, such as Jacob Chansley (QAnon Shaman) and Derrick Evans, expressed extreme remorse during their sentencing (blaming Trump, calling their actions “indefensible”) but later retracted those apologies after being released or pardoned, returning to the “J6 Patriot” narrative. The individuals listed above (Riddle, Ayres, Hemphill) are distinct because they have maintained their reversal over time or taken concrete actions (like rejecting a pardon) to prove it.