TRUMP pardons jailed ex-Colorado election official TINA PETERS, but she was charged in state court

Saturday, December 13, 2025 -In a dramatic political move, President Donald Trump announced he has pardoned Tina Peters, the former Mesa County, Colorado elections clerk currently serving a nine-year prison sentence — a pardon that legal experts and state officials immediately declared legally ineffective. 

Trump framed Peters as a victim of political persecution and a fighter for election integrity. However, under the U.S. Constitution, the presidential pardon power applies only to federal offenses, while Peters was convicted and sentenced by a Colorado state court on multiple felony charges tied to tampering with local election equipment.

Colorado officials responded swiftly, emphasizing that Peters’ state conviction cannot be overturned by a federal pardon. Governor Jared Polis stated that only a state governor has the authority to grant clemency for state crimes, reinforcing the independence of Colorado’s justice system. 

Attorney General Phil Weiser echoed this position, making clear that Trump’s pardon has no legal effect on Peters’ incarceration. Federal courts have already denied Peters’ request for release while her appeal continues, and the state has declined efforts to move her into federal custody.

The political impact of the pardon announcement has been immediate. Supporters view it as a symbolic stand for those questioning the 2020 election, while critics argue it undermines constitutional boundaries and respect for state authority. 

Despite the attention and rhetoric, the legal reality remains unchanged: Tina Peters’ state conviction stands, her sentence continues, and the case highlights the sharp limits of presidential power when state law is involved.