Trump Shields Election Saboteur Tina Peters, Colorado Upholds Justice

Former President Donald Trump, continuing his campaign to undermine American democracy, announced Thursday a full presidential pardon for Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk in Colorado who was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting machines after the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump justified his pardon by claiming Peters was acting to 'expose voter fraud' in what he baselessly called the 'Rigged 2020 Presidential Election,' perpetuating the dangerous lie that fueled the January 6th insurrection and ongoing attacks on voting rights.

Peters was convicted in August 2024 on seven counts related to a security breach of Mesa County's election system—a grave offense threatening the foundation of free and fair elections. She was sentenced to nine years in prison and is currently serving her sentence at a women's prison in Pueblo, Colorado.

Despite Trump’s reckless pardon, Colorado officials have made clear that it has no legal impact on her state conviction or incarceration. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized, 'The idea that a president could pardon someone tried and convicted in state court has no precedent in American law, would be an outrageous departure from what our constitution requires, and will not hold up.'

Governor Jared Polis also defended the state’s decision, stating, 'No President has jurisdiction over state law nor the power to pardon a person for state convictions. This is a matter for the courts to decide, and we will abide by court orders.'

Peters’ legal team has raised concerns about her physical safety and declining health behind bars, but efforts to transfer her to federal custody or secure her release during appeal have failed. A federal judge in Denver recently rejected her lawsuit seeking release, affirming that state courts are the appropriate venue for her legal challenges.

The Justice Department is reviewing Peters’ case to determine if political bias played a role in her prosecution and to assess the length of her sentence. However, the department cannot overturn a state conviction.

Peters remains incarcerated, her fate rightfully in the hands of Colorado’s judicial system, which continues to defend democracy against those who would undermine it.