Justice Department Supports Release of Convicted Election Denier Tina Peters

HUDSON, Colo. — The Justice Department under former President Donald Trump is weighing in on the case of Tina Peters, a former county clerk imprisoned for tampering with voting machines after the 2020 election. Senior officials within the department are urging a federal judge to consider her release, citing “reasonable concerns” regarding the motivations behind her prosecution.

Peters, who has become a prominent figure among election deniers, was convicted for her involvement in a scheme to breach data in an attempt to substantiate claims of widespread voter fraud, allegations that have been consistently debunked. Currently serving her sentence at the Larimer County Detention Center, Peters was sentenced to an unspecified prison term following her conviction.

Last month, Peters’ legal team filed a petition in federal court requesting her release while her conviction is appealed. They contend her constitutional rights were infringed upon during the proceedings, noting that the presiding judge labeled her “a charlatan” incapable of honesty. Her lawyers criticized the sentence as excessively harsh, arguing it reflects a bias against Peters rather than the severity of her actions.

It is atypical for the Justice Department to intervene in state prosecutions, especially for state crimes. Legal experts have expressed skepticism about what influence federal officials can exert over such cases. There is currently no public evidence to support claims of political motivation behind her state prosecution.

The case highlights a broader trend of utilizing federal authority to advocate for individuals associated with the former president, signaling a potential shift in how political affiliations may influence judicial outcomes. As the department examines Peters’ petition, it remains to be seen what implications this would have, not just for her case but for future interactions between state and federal law in politically charged environments.