Trump says he pardoned Tina Peters, but state conviction means no release
President Trump said he had pardoned Tina Peters, a former Colorado elections clerk who was convicted in state court. Because her convictions are at the state level the pardon will not free her from prison; a federal magistrate denied release pending appeal and Colorado officials have opposed transferring her to federal custody.
📌 Key Facts
- Former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters was pardoned by former President Donald Trump.
- The pardon is federal and does not overturn her state convictions, so it will not free her from prison.
- A federal magistrate judge denied Peters' release pending appeal.
- Colorado state authorities oppose a proposed transfer of Peters to federal custody.
- As a result, despite the presidential pardon, Peters remains in state custody and incarcerated.
📊 Relevant Data
No U.S. president has ever granted a pardon for a state crime, as the presidential pardon power applies only to federal offenses.
Legal Fact Check: Pardons — American Bar Association
In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, an Associated Press investigation identified fewer than 475 potential cases of voter fraud in six battleground states, out of tens of millions of votes cast.
Fact checking Trump's claims about 'election integrity' — ABC News
There were no proven instances of voter fraud in Colorado during the 2020 presidential election, according to a database of election fraud cases.
Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map: Explore the Data — The Heritage Foundation
63% of Republican voters believe that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, compared to 4% of Democratic voters and 26% of independent voters.
Analyzing the 2024 Presidential Vote: PRRI’s Post-Election Survey — PRRI
📰 Sources (2)
- Explicitly states the pardon will not free Peters due to state convictions.
- Notes denial of release pending appeal by a federal magistrate judge.
- Reports state opposition to a proposed transfer to federal custody.