Jan. 6 Rioter Rejects Trump's Pardon, Fights Conviction in Court

Supreme Court declines to hear case of Glenn Brooks, who wants to fully exonerate himself despite being pardoned.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Glenn Brooks, a home remodeling contractor and a 'deeply religious man' who was convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, has rejected a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Brooks argued he has the right to try to fully exonerate himself through the courts, rather than accept the pardon, which he says would 'brand the individual with guilt.' The Supreme Court declined to hear Brooks' case, leaving lower court rulings in place that canceled his conviction and dismissed his appeal after Trump pardoned him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding presidential pardons, particularly in politically sensitive cases related to the January 6th attack. Brooks' rejection of the pardon raises questions about an individual's right to clear their name, even after being pardoned, and the broader implications of using pardons in such cases.

The details

Brooks, who traveled from California to Washington D.C. to support Trump on January 6, 2021, was convicted on four misdemeanor charges for entering the Capitol. He argued the government lacked sufficient evidence, particularly that he knew his actions were criminal at the time. After being sentenced to six months in prison, Brooks said he was 'forcibly awakened and removed from prison' to receive Trump's pardon, which he did not want. Brooks' lawyers argued the pardon 'conscripts the defendant into a narrative of culpability' and cuts off the legal process that could have cleared his name.

  • Brooks was arrested after a fellow member of his prayer group contacted the FBI in 2021.
  • Brooks was convicted by a jury in 2024 and sentenced to six months in prison.
  • Near the end of his sentence, Brooks said he was forcibly removed from prison to receive Trump's pardon in 2025.

The players

Glenn Brooks

A home remodeling contractor and 'deeply religious man' who was convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, but rejected a pardon from former President Donald Trump in order to try to fully exonerate himself through the courts.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who pardoned nearly 1,600 people charged in the January 6, 2021 riot, including Glenn Brooks.

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What they’re saying

“A forced pardon operates as a compelled confession, branding the individual with guilt and stripping him of his chosen appellate forum.”

— Glenn Brooks' lawyers (USA TODAY)

“How could I live my life knowing that I was guilty and then I took that pardon? It's kind of like a message that it was OK that day − it was not OK that day. That was the worst day of my life.”

— Pamela Hemphill, Former Trump supporter who rejected her January 6 pardon (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The Supreme Court's decision to decline hearing Brooks' case leaves the lower court rulings in place, meaning his conviction will remain canceled and his appeal dismissed despite his efforts to fully exonerate himself.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding presidential pardons, particularly in politically charged cases related to the January 6th attack. It raises questions about an individual's right to clear their name, even after being pardoned, and the broader implications of using pardons in such sensitive situations.