Trump issues symbolic pardon for Colorado ex‑clerk Tina Peters; state conviction keeps her imprisoned
President Donald Trump announced on Dec. 11 that he had granted a "full pardon" to former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, and her attorney Peter Ticktin said he was formally notified after urging clemency amid claims she was threatened and attacked in jail. The pardon is largely symbolic because presidential clemency does not apply to state convictions — Peters was convicted on multiple state counts for allowing a man linked to Mike Lindell access to election equipment, was sentenced in 2024 to 8.5 years, and remains in Colorado custody after a federal magistrate denied her release; efforts by the administration to transfer her to federal prison were opposed by state officials.
📌 Key Facts
- President Donald Trump announced via a Truth Social post on Dec. 11 that he was granting a full pardon to former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters, saying it redressed what he called a targeted prosecution and was a “full pardon for her attempts to expose voter fraud.”
- The pardon is symbolic and cannot free Peters from her state conviction because presidential clemency does not reach state crimes; Colorado officials (Gov. Jared Polis and AG Phil Weiser) and Sen. Michael Bennet said a U.S. president cannot pardon state convictions.
- Peters remains in Colorado state custody; a federal magistrate denied her bid for release pending appeal, and federal courts have not ordered her release.
- The Biden administration (reported by ABC) tried last month to transfer Peters from state to federal custody, a move state officials oppose.
- Peters was convicted on seven of 10 counts in 2024 and was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison plus six months in county jail; her conviction stems from allowing a man linked to Mike Lindell to misuse a security card to access the election system.
- Attorney Peter Ticktin formally requested a pardon from Trump hours before Trump’s post and, in letters reported as sent over the weekend, alleged Peters was threatened and violently attacked by inmates on three occasions, denied placement in a “safe unit” six times, and that the FBI and DOJ interviewed her after earlier threats and she was subsequently moved to a different unit.
- Ticktin urged Trump to pardon Peters and argued the president had authority to do so despite the state conviction; Colorado officials have said they will not pardon her. Fox News reported Ticktin was formally notified of the pardon and published the attorney’s letter in full.
📊 Relevant Data
According to a 2021 Ipsos poll, 35% of White Americans believed the claim of widespread election fraud in the 2020 election was true, compared to 13% of Black Americans.
Black Americans Aren't Buying Election-Year Falsehoods. Here's Why. — RAND Corporation
70% of White Christians believe ineligible voters casting ballots is the bigger problem in elections, while 58% of Christians of color believe eligible voters being denied the right to vote is the bigger issue.
In Colorado, Black adults are 7.0 times more likely to be in prison compared to White adults, based on 2021 data; Black adults constitute about 4% of the state's population.
Colorado Criminal Justice Data Snapshot — Justice Reinvestment Initiative
In Colorado, American Indian adults are 8.9 times more likely to be in prison compared to White adults, based on 2021 data.
Colorado Criminal Justice Data Snapshot — Justice Reinvestment Initiative
The Heritage Foundation's Election Fraud Database documents 1,600 proven instances of election fraud in the United States from 1982 to 2025.
The Heritage Foundation's Election Fraud Map — The Heritage Foundation
📰 Sources (5)
- Confirms Trump’s pardon is symbolic and cannot free Peters since presidential clemency does not reach state crimes.
- Notes a federal magistrate judge on Monday denied Peters’ bid for release pending appeal.
- Reports the administration tried last month to transfer Peters from state to federal prison, which state officials oppose.
- Adds that Trump issued similar symbolic pardons for Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and others facing state charges.
- Restates conviction details: Peters allowed a man (linked to Mike Lindell) to misuse a security card to access the election system.
- President Donald Trump announced he is granting a full pardon to Tina Peters via a Truth Social post on Dec. 11.
- Peters’ attorney, Peter Ticktin, said he was formally notified of the pardon on Thursday.
- Trump characterized the pardon as redressing what he called targeted prosecution and said it was a 'full pardon for her attempts to expose voter fraud.'
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and AG Phil Weiser issued on‑the‑record statements that a U.S. president cannot pardon someone convicted in state court.
- Sen. Michael Bennet publicly stated Peters remains rightfully in Colorado state prison and a Trump pardon won't work.
- Peters’ attorney Peter Ticktin sent a Sunday letter formally requesting a pardon from Trump, hours before Trump’s post.
- Axios reiterates case details: Peters was convicted on seven of 10 counts and sentenced in 2024 to 8.5 years in prison and six months in county jail.
- Peters’ attorney Peter Ticktin sent a Saturday letter to President Trump alleging Peters was threatened and then violently attacked by inmates on three occasions and denied placement in a 'safe unit' six times.
- The letter claims the FBI and DOJ interviewed Peters after earlier threats and that she was moved to a different unit.
- Ticktin argues Trump has authority to pardon Peters despite her state conviction and urges him to do so; Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has said he will not pardon Peters.
- Fox News includes direct quotes from the attorney’s letter and publishes it in full.