Trump Calls for Release of Election Official Tina Peters, Warns of “Harsh Measures”

August 21, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

On Thursday morning, former President Donald J. Trump made a bold post on Truth Social. He called for the immediate release of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk. Peters was convicted of tampering with Colorado’s voting machines after the 2020 presidential election. Trump called Peters “a courageous and innocent Patriot.” He accused Colorado Democrats of wrongly imprisoning her for revealing alleged election fraud.

““She hasn’t done anything wrong, other than reveal the Democrats’ cheating in the election,” Trump wrote. He also noted that Peters is “an elderly woman and quite ill.“nbsp;If she is not freed, I will take severe actions!!!” The post didn’t say what “harsh measures” the former president would use. He has warned before that he might stop federal funding to states that don’t follow his rules.

Peters, 69, was convicted in October 2024. She faced seven counts, four of which were felonies. These charges were for her role in enabling unauthorized access to Mesa County’s Dominion voting machines. Judge Matthew Barrett sentenced her to nine years in prison. He said her actions caused “immeasurable damage” to public trust in elections. Peters has appealed her conviction. Her attorneys filed state and federal petitions for bond while she waits for the appeal. They highlight her age and worsening health.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice reviewed her case at Trump’s request. Top DOJ officials wondered if her sentence was based on political motives instead of fair justice. Colorado officials, including Secretary of State Jena Griswold, have confirmed the 2020 election’s integrity. They noted that state audits found no fraud and matched machine counts with paper ballots.

In his Truth Social statement, Trump called out Governor Jared Polis and “crooked Colorado politicians” for pushing mail-in voting at Peters’s expense. The governor’s office has not yet issued a public response to Trump’s latest demands.

Tina Peters’s case sparks strong reactions in the debate on election security. It also raises questions about the legitimacy of mail-in voting in the U.S. Supporters see her as a political prisoner. Critics argue her actions could damage public faith in democracy. As the appeals unfold, both sides are keeping a close eye. They’re eager to see if federal authorities will get involved or let Colorado take charge.

• The Hill / Newsweek synthesis