Rachel Marie Powell (born March 26, 1980), also known as "Pink Hat Lady" and "Bullhorn Lady", is an American convicted felon known for her participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, in which she wore a pink hat and used a bullhorn to instruct other rioters.
Rachel Powell | |
|---|---|
 Powell at the time of her arrest in 2021 | |
| Born | March 26, 1980 Anaheim, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Pink Hat Lady Bullhorn Lady |
| Known for | Participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Children | 8 |
| Parent |
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| Criminal penalty |
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| Imprisoned at | Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton |
On July 18, 2023, Powell was found guilty on nine counts, comprising three felony charges and six misdemeanors. On October 17, 2023, Powell was sentenced to 57 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Powell began serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton, on January 9, 2024.
Biography
Powell was born in Anaheim, California, and raised in Fresno. At the time of the Capitol attack, she was a single mother of eight and grandmother of six residing in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.[1]
In an interview with The New Yorker, Powell stated that she was initially critical of Donald Trump and did not vote in 2016, though voted for him in the 2020 United States presidential election. Powell posted misinformation about both the election and COVID-19 on Facebook.[2]
Prosecutors alleged that Powell had become obsessed with keeping Trump in power following his loss in the 2020 election and had conducted surveillance at a female legislator's house.[3]
January 6 United States Capitol attack
Powell was a participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, in which she entered a restricted section of the United States Capitol carrying an ice axe and a large wooden pole. During the riot, Powell wore a pink hat and used a bullhorn to instruct other rioters, causing her to become known as "Pink Hat Lady" and "Bullhorn Lady". She also destroyed a window with a pipe, causing over $1,000 in damage.
Powell was arrested by the FBI on February 4, 2021.[4] Additionally, Powell's home in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, was raided by the FBI,[5] all of her weapons were confiscated, and she was placed under house arrest.
On April 5, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Powell on nine counts, comprising three felonies and six misdemeanors. On July 18, 2023, following a bench trial, Powell was found guilty of all charges, which included civil disorder and destruction of government property.[6]
Sentencing
Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence of 96 months in prison,[3] describing Powell as a "leading participant in the most violent insurrection to occur at the U.S. Capitol in over 200 years".[7] Powell's attorney argued against jail time, pointing to her lack of a criminal record and the fact that she had not physically harmed anyone during the riot.
On October 17, 2023, Powell was sentenced to 57 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.[1][8] She was also ordered to pay over $8,000 in restitution, fines, and fees.[9]
Powell began serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton, on January 9, 2024.[10]
Subsequent activity
On December 28, 2023, Powell posted a tweet that included a photo of her wearing an ankle monitor. The tweet, in which Powell complained about her prison sentence, was widely criticized.[11]
