President Donald Trump issued a symbolic pardon Thursday for Tina Peters, the former Colorado elections administrator, but the clemency will not free her from prison. Peters was convicted under state law for orchestrating a data breach scheme based on false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election and was sentenced last year to nine years behind bars. Because Trump’s pardon power applies only to federal offenses, it does not affect her state convictions.
Trump defended Peters in a social media post, calling her a “Patriot” and repeating false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Peters, formerly Mesa County clerk, was found guilty of allowing an individual to misuse a security card to access election systems and misleading authorities about the person’s identity. The individual was connected to MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a leading promoter of unfounded election fraud claims.
The pardon is part of Trump’s ongoing effort to maintain the narrative that the 2020 election was stolen, despite multiple court rulings, state audits, and federal investigations confirming Joe Biden’s victory. Last month, Trump issued similar symbolic pardons for former allies, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, charged in state cases related to election overturn efforts.
Peters has remained defiant, and her case has become a focal point for the election conspiracy movement. Supporters have long lobbied Trump to secure her release, including attempts last month to move her from state to federal custody, which state officials opposed. A federal magistrate judge recently denied her request for release while she appeals her conviction.