Colorado Governor Jared Polis has consistently refused to grant clemency to Tina Peters, a former election clerk who was convicted of violating Colorado's election laws. Despite Trump's repeated calls for her release on his social media platform, Truth Social, Polis remains unmoved.
The state's top election official, Jena Griswold, is worried that reducing Peters' sentence would embolden the far-right groups that have been attacking elections and election officials. She also fears it could send a message that undermining democracy is acceptable.
Trump has taken an increasingly intense interest in Peters' case, with his administration threatening to remove Colorado's control over its wolf reintroduction program and other measures if Polis does not grant clemency. Trump has called Polis a "sleazebag" and a "scumbag," but it is unclear whether these personal attacks are motivating his actions or just part of his typical style.
Peters was convicted on seven of the 10 charges she faced, including four felonies. Her legal team, led by Peter Ticktin, has applied for clemency from Polis and hinted that he may be reconsidering her sentence after receiving a letter from the Colorado County Clerks Association urging him not to grant clemency.
Colorado election clerks are already on edge due to threats and attacks from far-right groups. Matt Crane, executive director of the clerks' association, believes that commuting Peters' sentence would send a wrong message about undermining democracy and put election officials at risk.
It is unclear what will ultimately happen with Peters' case, but it is clear that Trump's actions are having an impact on Colorado's government.
The state's top election official, Jena Griswold, is worried that reducing Peters' sentence would embolden the far-right groups that have been attacking elections and election officials. She also fears it could send a message that undermining democracy is acceptable.
Trump has taken an increasingly intense interest in Peters' case, with his administration threatening to remove Colorado's control over its wolf reintroduction program and other measures if Polis does not grant clemency. Trump has called Polis a "sleazebag" and a "scumbag," but it is unclear whether these personal attacks are motivating his actions or just part of his typical style.
Peters was convicted on seven of the 10 charges she faced, including four felonies. Her legal team, led by Peter Ticktin, has applied for clemency from Polis and hinted that he may be reconsidering her sentence after receiving a letter from the Colorado County Clerks Association urging him not to grant clemency.
Colorado election clerks are already on edge due to threats and attacks from far-right groups. Matt Crane, executive director of the clerks' association, believes that commuting Peters' sentence would send a wrong message about undermining democracy and put election officials at risk.
It is unclear what will ultimately happen with Peters' case, but it is clear that Trump's actions are having an impact on Colorado's government.
... I mean, I get why Jena Griswold and Matt Crane are worried about sending a message to far-right groups that they can just attack elections and election officials with impunity, but at the same time, Tina Peters' case feels like it's being dragged out for way too long. And Trump's just making things worse with his personal attacks, which don't even make sense in this context 
... I wish Polis would just grant clemency already so we can move on from this toxic drama. But at the same time, I do think it's valid to be concerned about undermining democracy and sending the wrong message. It's just a super tricky situation all around 
polis gotta stick to his guns, but seriously, matt crane makes a valid point - if they commute peters' sentence, it could embolden those far-right groups even more... and the state election officials are already super nervous about being attacked 
. anyway, gotta give props to jena griswold for keeping it real and not wanting to send any mixed signals about democracy 
. and can we pls just say that trump's 'sleazebag' and 'scumbag' vibes are getting old? like, does he even know what those words mean anymore? 
. I mean, she did mess up on election stuff, but seven out of ten charges? That's pretty reasonable 
. And Trump's all like "release her" and then threatens to take away wolf reintroduction programs and other things if Polis doesn't comply 
. Like, what's the deal with that? It feels like he's more worried about getting ahead on social media than actually doing what's best for Colorado 
. And I get that Jena Griswold is worried about far-right groups attacking elections and all that, but can't we just find a way to resolve this without making things worse? 
It feels like Polis and Trump are more interested in playing politics than actually doing what's best for the state 
. But no, Trump and Polis have to go and make it about personal attacks instead of just doing their jobs. And now Colorado election clerks are even more on edge because of threats from far-right groups 
. It's not like this is helping the situation at all... they're sending a message that undermining democracy is okay, which is just crazy talk 
. Can't they just focus on keeping the elections safe and fair? 
If Peters was truly innocent, she'd have gotten a second chance by now. The fact that her team got a letter from a group of clerks saying "hey don't do it" kinda suggests that they're not as pure as they claim to be 
. And honestly, Matt Crane's concerns about undermining democracy are totally valid 
. If we start letting convicted election officials off scot-free, what's next? It's not just about Peters or even Trump, it's about maintaining the integrity of our democratic system 
.
.
. But, at the end of the day, Polis needs to do what's best for Colorado, not just what Trump wants 
But the way he's been going about it, using his social media platform to bully Polis and threaten Colorado's government? That's just not cool 
Did they really think Polis would cave just because Trump was tweeting about it? 
. it's like, i get that elections are important, but come on, can't they just resolve this without making a big deal out of it? 
, using his influence to get Polis to cave, but who knows what's really going on in that head of his?" 
Are they more important than just saving face?