President Donald Trump granted a “full pardon” to former Mesa County, Colorado, Clerk Tina Peters, though it may not be able to save her from prison.
Peters was convicted in 2024 on state charges for her role in trying to overturn the 2020 election, and her appeal is still working through the Colorado courts. As presidential pardons are traditionally only granted for federal charges, it may not have an effect. Nevertheless, Trump accused Democrats of hypocrisy over Colorado’s prosecution of Peters.
“For years, Democrats ignored Violent and Vicious Crime of all shapes, sizes, colors, and types. Violent Criminals who should have been locked up were allowed to attack again. Democrats were also far too happy to let in the worst from the worst countries so they could rip off American Taxpayers. Democrats only think there is one crime – Not voting for them!” he wrote in his symbolic pardon on Truth Social.
“Democrats have been relentless in their targeting of TINA PETERS, a Patriot who simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest. Tina is sitting in a Colorado prison for the “crime” of demanding Honest Elections. Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!” Trump concluded.
Colorado Democrats were quick to rebuke the president, saying he had no jurisdiction over the matter.
Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) said in a statement, “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.”
“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,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser told Axios.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) went a step further, accusing Trump of corruption in trying to pardon Peters.
TINA PETERS REQUESTS PARDON AFTER REPORTED PRISON ATTACKS, PUTTING TRUMP IN TRICKY LEGAL SPOT
“Tina Peters is rightfully in Colorado state prison. Trump’s corrupt and political attempts at a pardon won’t work here. Once again, if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime,” he said in a post on X.
Peters was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison and six months in county jail for tampering with voting equipment in 2020.
