CRIME & LAW

Colorado Officials Reject Trump's Pardon Of Tina Peters

PUBLISHED Dec 12, 2025, 8:30 AM ET

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Colorado Officials Reject Trump's Pardon Of Tina Peters

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 10

Center 100%

Sources: 10

Washington, President Donald Trump announced on December 11 that he granted a pardon to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was sentenced in August 2024 to a nine-year term on state charges for facilitating unauthorized access to election systems. State officials, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis and AG Phil Weiser, said the president lacks authority to pardon state convictions and called the announcement symbolic. Mesa County DA Dan Rubinstein and legal experts reiterated that only the governor can pardon state crimes. A federal magistrate denied Peters' request for release while she appeals. Based on 6 articles and research.

By Ayesha A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

August 2024: Jury convicts Tina Peters on Colorado state charges related to election system access.
August 2024: Peters is sentenced to nine years in state custody.
December 11, 2024: President Trump posts on Truth Social announcing a pardon for Peters.
December 11–12, 2024: Colorado Governor Jared Polis and AG Phil Weiser publicly assert presidential pardons cannot overturn state convictions.
After announcement: A federal magistrate denies Peters' request for release while her state appeals proceed.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 10
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 10
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

President Trump and his political supporters gained a symbolic political victory and media attention from the pardon announcement.

Who Impacted

Colorado's legal institutions and public trust in local election administration faced renewed scrutiny and legal ambiguity following the announcement.