Trump news; Jared Polis fails our democracy in the worst way possible.
Slate • • nation
Key Points:
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has commuted the nine-year prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted of election-related felonies, leading to her release after less than two years.
- Peters was found guilty of allowing unauthorized access to election software, but Polis justified the commutation by emphasizing free speech and debate over punishment for beliefs, despite criticism that her conviction was based on criminal actions, not speech.
- The decision has sparked backlash, with critics arguing Polis set a dangerous precedent amid ongoing election denialism and political pressure from former President Trump, who had publicly advocated for Peters’ release.
- Legal experts contend the appeals court ruling and Polis’s commutation undermine accountability for election interference, and Polis’s move contradicts his usual law-and-order stance, raising concerns about political influence on justice.
- Additional legal news includes discussions on abortion medication mifepristone, judicial misconduct in gender-affirming care cases, and Supreme Court decisions affecting voting rights and racial discrimination lawsuits.