Former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters received a full federal pardon from President Donald Trump on Thursday. This decision amplifies efforts to challenge her state charges while she remains imprisoned for her actions connected to the 2020 presidential election.
Background on Tina Peters
Tina Peters, a former Republican clerk in Colorado, was found guilty of state charges related to a scheme designed to breach voting systems. Her goal was to validate claims of mass voter fraud during the controversial 2020 election. She is currently serving a nine-year sentence in a women’s prison located in Pueblo, Colorado.
Peters’ Legal Challenges
- Peters is the only associate of Trump currently incarcerated for actions linked to the 2020 election challenges.
- Her lawyers maintain that she believes the election was stolen and have expressed concerns about her health and safety while imprisoned.
- Despite the federal pardon, it does not impact her state conviction or incarceration status.
Responses to the Pardon
The pardon from Trump has sparked discussions about its implications within Colorado. Governor Jared Polis reaffirmed that a president lacks authority over state law, emphasizing that decisions regarding state convictions rest with the courts. He stated, “No President has jurisdiction over state law nor the power to pardon a person for state convictions.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser expressed similar sentiments, labeling the presidential pardon as unprecedented and an unacceptable deviation from legal norms. He stressed that it would not carry weight in addressing Peters’ state-level legal troubles.
Future Directions
Peters’ legal team previously attempted to leverage her situation by sending a letter to Trump, advocating for a pardon. While they succeeded in obtaining this symbolic clemency, only state officials, particularly Governor Polis, hold the power to pardon her for state crimes.
The ongoing situation highlights the complexities surrounding legal jurisdiction and the interplay between state and federal authorities, especially in cases related to the contentious 2020 election.
