In early March, Donald Trump’s Justice Department raised eyebrows
with an unexpected move: The DOJ’s civil division unexpectedly filed a brief in federal court, raising “concerns” about the criminal conviction of a former Colorado county clerk named Tina Peters.
The effort didn’t amount to much, but the president’s interest in the case didn’t fade. And in May, the Republican
not only called for Peters’ release from prison, he also directed the Justice Department to take “all necessary action” to help secure her freedom. As part of the same
online harangue, Trump, who lacks the authority to pardon those convicted of state crimes, went on to describe Peters as a “Political Prisoner” and a “hostage” whose trial deserved to be seen as “a Communist persecution.”
This, too, went largely ignored, prompting the president to kick things up a notch.
NBC News reported:
Trump threatened to take unspecified ‘harsh measures’ if Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk who promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, is not released from prison. The president referred to Peters as ‘a brave and innocent Patriot who has been tortured by Crooked Colorado politicians,’ calling to ‘FREE TINA PETERS