Colorado Governor Commutes Election Denier Tina Peters' Sentence Under Trump Influence

Colorado Governor Commutes Sentence of Election Conspiracy Theorist

Colorado Governor Jared Polis made a controversial decision on Friday to commute the sentence of Tina Peters, a 70-year-old election conspiracy theorist. This move came under pressure from former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly championed her cause. The decision marks another instance of Trump using his influence to support individuals who spread baseless claims about election fraud following his 2020 loss.

Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a scheme to copy her county’s election computer system. She will be released on June 1. In April, a Colorado appeals court upheld her conviction but ordered her to be resentenced, as the original judge had improperly punished her for speaking out about election fraud. Polis praised this decision and later commuted her sentence.

In a letter to Peters, Polis acknowledged that she was guilty of serious crimes and deserved to serve time in prison. However, he noted that her sentence was unusually long for a first-time, nonviolent offender. He also highlighted her commitment to follow the law going forward and take responsibility for her actions.

Trump expressed his support for Peters through social media, posting “FREE TINA!” around the time of the announcement. His involvement in the case has raised concerns among some officials, who see it as an affront to the rule of law.

Criticism from Colorado Officials

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a fellow Democrat, criticized the governor's decision, calling it a “dark day for democracy.” She argued that Polis had “sold out” the state’s justice system by yielding to Trump’s influence. Griswold warned that the decision sends a dangerous message to those willing to break the law and attack democratic institutions for political gain.

Peters was serving her sentence at a prison in Pueblo after being convicted in 2024 by jurors in Mesa County, a Republican stronghold that supported Trump. She had allowed an outside computer expert, linked to MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, to access her county’s Dominion Voting Systems election computer server in 2021. After the incident, video and photos of the update, including passwords, were posted online.

Following the commutation, Peters issued a statement through her attorney, thanking Polis and apologizing for misleading the Secretary of State when allowing unauthorized access to county voting equipment. She emphasized that she had learned from her mistakes and would follow the law moving forward. She also condemned threats and violence against voters, county clerks, and election workers.

Reactions from Gubernatorial Candidates

Polis is not eligible for reelection due to term limits, and candidates running to succeed him weighed in on his decision. Senator Michael Bennet, a Democratic candidate, strongly disagreed with the commutation, stating that Peters knowingly broke the law and undermined elections. He warned that such actions could encourage more lawlessness.

Republican candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer suggested that the trial judge should have revisited Peters’ sentence before any commutation was considered. She argued that governors should reserve clemency for truly extraordinary circumstances and apply justice fairly without bias.

Trump’s Influence and Political Pressure

Although Peters was convicted of state crimes, which placed her beyond the reach of Trump’s pardon power, the president used his platform to advocate for her release. He criticized both Polis and the Republican district attorney who prosecuted her, calling them “scumbags” and accusing them of keeping Peters in prison. Trump also referred to Peters as “elderly” and “sick,” and earlier this year, he uninvited Polis from a White House meeting with governors over the case.

The president’s administration has reportedly been pressuring Colorado by cutting off federal funds, ending programs, and denying disaster aid. It also announced the relocation of the U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama.

Health Concerns and Legal Challenges

Peters’ lawyers have raised concerns about her declining health in prison. She had part of her right lung removed in 2017 and has experienced frequent coughing and chronic pain from fibromyalgia. In January, she was involved in a scuffle with another inmate but was found not guilty of assault. She was, however, found guilty of being in a location without authorization.

The federal Bureau of Prisons attempted to move Peters to a federal facility but failed. Polis had previously considered granting clemency, calling her sentence “unusual and harsh” for a first-time, nonviolent offender. On social media, he defended his decision, emphasizing his commitment to free speech and ensuring that people are not incarcerated based on their viewpoints.

Political Stance and Legacy

Unlike other Democratic governors, Polis has taken an accommodating stance toward Trump on certain issues. While he criticized Trump’s tariff and immigration policies, he praised initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency and the appointment of vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, called the commutation a signal that “it is open season on our election and election officials.” He argued that Polis is now associated with the conspiracy theories undermining democratic institutions, and that this decision will define his legacy.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.