The Fight Over Tina Peters’ Transfer to Federal Custody
The district attorney who handled Tina Peters’ case is urging Governor Jared Polis to reject the Trump administration’s request to move her to federal custody. They warn that she may be illegally released if transferred.
Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein and Attorney General Phil Weiser sent a joint letter to Governor Polis, stating that Peters is in prison for the crimes she committed to jeopardize Mesa’s election systems. They believe the transfer request is a way for Trump to bypass his inability to pardon or commute her sentence.
Last year, Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for her actions that involved baseless election conspiracies. President Trump has advocated for her release, but as she was charged and convicted in state court, he does not have the authority to pardon her.
The federal Bureau of Prisons recently asked the state Department of Corrections to transfer Peters into federal custody. While Governor Polis has not directly commented on the matter, his spokesperson referred inquiries to the Department of Corrections, which is currently reviewing the request.
Weiser and Rubinstein’s letter expressed concerns that the transfer request could lead to Peters receiving a lighter sentence or even an unauthorized release. The U.S. Department of Justice has remained tight-lipped about the situation, but there are reports of efforts to pressure Colorado officials into reconsidering Peters’ case.
Despite the pressure, Governor Polis has made it clear that he will not pardon Peters as part of any deal. His administration takes clemency requests seriously and evaluates each case individually.
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