Who is Tina Peters? Trump calls for her to be released from prison ‘RIGHT NOW'
'FREE TINA PETERS, a brave and innocent Patriot who has been tortured by Crooked Colorado politicians,' Trump wrote in an Aug. 21 Truth Social post.
'Let Tina Peters out of jail, RIGHT NOW,' he added. 'She did nothing wrong, except catching the Democrats cheat in the Election. She is an old woman, and very sick. If she is not released, I am going to take harsh measures!!!'
The president previously called for Peters' release in May.
Peters, 69, served as the county clerk of Mesa County, Colorado, from 2018 to 2023, where she oversaw elections.
In 2021, state officials began investigating Peters after sensitive voting information from Mesa County surfaced online, according to Colorado Public Radio.
It was alleged that she provided unauthorized access to voting equipment undergoing a software update to an individual connected to Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, who has argued that the 2020 election was stolen. Peters, herself, was a prominent election denier.
In Aug. 2024, a jury found Peters guilty of several criminal charges, including first degree official misconduct and failure to comply with secretary of state requirements.
'Today's verdict is a warning to others that they will face serious consequences if they attempt to illegally tamper with our voting processes or election systems,' Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said at the time.
Two months later, Peters was handed a 9-year prison sentence.
During her sentencing hearing, Peters asked the judge for leniency, saying she 'never did anything with malice' and that she believed she was doing right by the people in her county, according to ABC News. 'I really am remorseful,' she added.
Attorneys for Peters are currently appealing her conviction at the Colorado State Court of Appeals.
In May, Trump also directed the Department of Justice to take action in order to secure the release of Peters, whom he said exposed fraud in the 2020 election.
For years, Trump has claimed without evidence that the 2020 presidential election was stolen or 'rigged' due to voter fraud.
Neither an attorney for Peters nor Colorado officials immediately responded to requests for comment from McClatchy News.
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