President Donald Trump has granted a full presidential pardon to Tina Peters, the 69-year-old Gold Star mother, election-integrity advocate, and former Mesa County Clerk whose Colorado state conviction has drawn national attention.
Peters has been serving a nine-year sentence on state charges tied to her efforts to examine election equipment after the 2020 election. Supporters have long argued that Peters acted out of concern for election transparency, while critics maintain she broke state law. Just last week, a magistrate judge rejected her request for early release.
Trump Slams Democrats While Announcing the Pardon
In a strongly worded Truth Social post, President Trump criticized Democratic leaders, accusing them of ignoring violent crime while aggressively targeting individuals who question election processes. Trump described Peters as a patriot who was punished for demanding election integrity.
He argued that Peters’ imprisonment reflected what he sees as political targeting rather than fair justice.
Colorado Attorney General Responds
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser quickly pushed back, telling local media that Trump’s pardon does not override state convictions. Weiser said the case remains under Colorado’s jurisdiction and emphasized that Peters was convicted by a jury and is currently pursuing an appeal through state courts.
“This doesn’t free her,” Weiser said, calling the pardon “a lawless act” and insisting that the president has no authority to overturn state-level criminal rulings.
What Happens Next?
Despite the national spotlight, Colorado officials say Peters’ legal process continues as usual. Court proceedings, appeals, and state judicial actions remain in place unless a Colorado court rules otherwise.
The debate over Peters’ case, Trump’s pardon, and state authority is likely to remain a major political flashpoint in the coming weeks.
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