A full pardon arrived for Tina Peters from President Trump, a gesture of support for a woman already deep within the confines of a Colorado state prison.
Peters, a Gold Star mother battling health issues, received a nine-year sentence for challenging the results of the 2020 election. Her supporters claim she became a target, facing intense opposition from political adversaries.
Despite the presidential pardon, Peters will not immediately walk free. Her conviction stems from state charges, meaning the pardon doesn’t override the state’s legal process.
Recent attempts to secure an early release through a habeas corpus petition were unsuccessful, dismissed by a magistrate judge just last week. The legal battles continue even with the pardon in place.
Concerns for Peters’ safety within the prison walls have been raised. An attorney and close friend of President Trump reported she has been physically attacked by other inmates on three separate occasions.
The former President has been vocal in his condemnation of what he describes as a politically motivated prosecution. He argues that Democrats have been too lenient on violent crime while aggressively pursuing those who question election integrity.
Trump asserts Peters is a “Patriot” unjustly punished for seeking “Safe and Secure Elections.” He frames her imprisonment as a deliberate attempt to silence anyone challenging the narrative surrounding the 2020 election.
The pardon, announced on social media, was presented as a direct response to what Trump believes was “Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!” He vowed to support her fight for justice.
Tina Peters, formerly the Mesa County, Colorado Clerk, was convicted in October 2024 of three charges related to preserving evidence from the 2020 election. She defied orders to delete data, citing legal requirements to maintain records.
During sentencing, the judge reportedly delivered a scathing rebuke, allegedly berating Peters and accusing her of benefiting from “white privilege.” This interaction fueled accusations of bias and unfair treatment.
Following an amicus brief filed in support of Peters, President Trump reportedly directed the Department of Justice to intervene and seek her release, labeling her a “political prisoner.”
Prior to the DOJ directive, Trump had publicly criticized Colorado’s Attorney General, accusing him of prioritizing the prosecution of Peters over addressing violent crimes committed by undocumented individuals.
Trump characterized Peters’ imprisonment as “Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” a “Communist persecution” designed to conceal alleged election fraud and misdeeds from 2020. He maintains her innocence and believes she was targeted for exposing wrongdoing.
