Trump pardons jailed ex-Colorado election official Tina Peters, but she was charged in state court
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- President Trump announced a pardon for Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk serving a nine-year sentence for state crimes related to unauthorized access to voting machines, despite the presidential pardon power traditionally applying only to federal offenses.
- Peters was convicted by a jury on charges including attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, with prosecutors alleging she orchestrated a scheme to allow unauthorized access to voting machines in 2021.
- Colorado officials, including Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Attorney General Phil Weiser, condemned the pardon as unconstitutional, emphasizing states' rights and the lack of presidential authority over state convictions.
- Peters' lawyer argued that the president may have pardon power over state crimes, though this legal theory
