**Donald Trump Claims to Grant “Full Pardon” to Former Colorado Clerk Tina Peters, Despite Legal Limitations**
Former President Donald Trump claimed Thursday night that he granted a “full pardon” to Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk, a move constitutional law experts say he lacks the authority to execute for state-level crimes.
Peters, 70, is currently serving a nine-year sentence in a state prison in Pueblo, Colorado, for felonies related to providing unauthorized access to voting equipment during her tenure as the elected clerk and recorder of Mesa County. She had collaborated with prominent election deniers in an effort to prove discredited claims that voting machines were manipulated. Peters has also been a vocal supporter of Trump’s unfounded allegations of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
On Thursday evening, Trump posted on his Truth Social account:
“Democrats have been relentless in their targeting of TINA PETERS, a Patriot who simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest.”
“Tina is sitting in a Colorado prison for the ‘crime’ of demanding Honest Elections,” he continued.
“Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!”
However, Trump’s authority to grant pardons extends only to federal crimes, not offenses committed under state law—such as those Peters was convicted of.
“Trump has the constitutional power to pardon people for crimes against the United States,” explained Jessica Smith, a Denver-based attorney with the firm Holland and Hart. “Peters was convicted of crimes against Colorado. To suggest he can pardon for state crimes would upend fundamental principles of federalism.”
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, no formal pardon document had been published on the federal government’s clemency website. Efforts to reach an attorney representing Peters for comment were unsuccessful.
Legal experts note that an attempted pardon by Trump could provide Peters’ attorneys grounds to pursue further legal filings in state or federal court.
Peters has been regarded as a martyr among election conspiracy theorists, including Trump himself. Since leaving office in January, Trump has frequently pressured Colorado Governor Jared Polis to extend leniency toward Peters. Most recently, the Trump administration requested that she be transferred to a federal prison, where conditions would be subject to federal oversight. However, state corrections officials denied this request, deeming it improper.
Adding to the legal complexity, a federal judge in Colorado ruled Monday that the court lacked authority to release Peters while she appeals her 2024 conviction through state courts. Peters’ legal team has argued for her release citing health concerns, the hospitalization of her mother, and her current placement in solitary confinement.
Legal analysts emphasize that Trump does not possess the power to intervene in this state case. Doug Spencer, a constitutional law professor at the University of Colorado, agreed with Smith’s assessment and cautioned that Trump’s announcement could send a misleading and dangerous message.
“It is sad that our president hasn’t read or doesn’t understand a basic tenet of the U.S. Constitution,” Spencer said.
“This post carries no legal weight. It is a political stunt. And a dangerous one because it may lead others to believe that he has some power over her case, and that those individuals involved in her case in Colorado have acted inappropriately or illegally, for which there is absolutely no evidence.”
Only Governor Jared Polis holds the authority to pardon Peters for state crimes. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday evening.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
https://www.timescall.com/2025/12/11/donald-trump-attempted-pardon-tina-peters/
