I was banned in 2016 when many Never Trumpers fell by the wayside. But, while I supported Trump once Walker was out of the race, I was criticizing FreeRepublic itself, usually by contrasting the halcyon days. Jim swung the ax, not any of the minions.
I did not beg forgiveness, or make any attempt to rejoin by any means including trying a new account. After two years of lurking, I hit the donate button one day, by mistake. I pledged a $3 donation (the minimum donation) by check and commented that I would become a monthly donor once again, but since I was banned, I was not motivated to do so. My account was restored almost immediately, before I had mailed my check or signed up as a monthly donor.
I have posting privileges, I am a monthly donor, and I sent my $3 check. All is well. I still miss the old days, especially the paragraph + length posts by real experts. But that’s become the entire internet these days, so we just have to live with it.