By Matt Underwood Trump says he is pardoning Tina Peters, a Colorado county clerk convicted of election tampering, even though he simply doesn’t have the legal right to do so. This situation is, frankly, not surprising at all given the history. It’s almost becoming a recurring theme at this point. The former president, known for pushing boundaries and often disregarding established norms, has declared a pardon that is, at best, a symbolic gesture. In reality, Tina Peters was convicted on state charges, and the power to pardon her lies solely with the governor of Colorado, not with the President of the United States.
What makes this especially noteworthy is not just the act itself, but the intent behind it. It’s a clear signal to his supporters, particularly those who question the legitimacy of the 2020 election, that he is still fighting for them, regardless of legal constraints. It’s also a tactic, a way to stoke the flames of his base and keep them engaged. Trump knows he doesn’t have the power here, but he’s leveraging the situation to portray himself as a champion, a figure who will do anything to protect those he sees as victims of a rigged system. It is also an attempt to set up a conflict that he can then bring before the Supreme Court, potentially asking them to redefine the limits of a presidential pardon.
The specifics of the situation are important. Tina Peters was convicted in Colorado state court and is currently serving a nine-year sentence. Her crime involved tampering with voting machines, which took place after the 2020 election. Peters has been very vocal in her support of Trump’s claims of election fraud, and this pardon, even though it is essentially null and void, is a clear political move. Trump is using the issue to rally support, not just by stating his support of her, but by publicly and assertively declaring he has done so.
The response from Colorado officials is predictable. Governor Jared Polis is highly unlikely to comply with Trump’s supposed pardon, leaving the situation in a state of legal limbo. This also raises the possibility of Trump attempting to pressure Colorado to change its course or attempting to move Peters into the federal court system, which, given the circumstances, seems highly unlikely. The entire charade will likely result in nothing more than a political battle, and a lot of media coverage.
This maneuver, as with many others, highlights a disregard for the established checks and balances of our system. It’s a reminder that a core part of Trump’s strategy has always been to challenge the existing order. By making these moves, even though they lack legal foundation, he tests the strength of the institutions and, perhaps more importantly, the resolve of those who oppose him.
The fact that Trump’s actions often seem to defy logic is part of his mystique. It is a part of his brand. This pardon, much like his rhetoric, will be seen by his supporters as a bold and decisive move, while his detractors will view it as a continuation of his pattern of disregard for the law. Either way, it’s a spectacle, and one designed to keep the focus squarely on him. Trump knows that this gesture is meaningless. Its only value is in its symbolic meaning.
The potential implications of all this are also worth considering. This could be viewed as a dry run. If the Supreme Court were to entertain the idea that the President’s authority supersedes state authority, this would open the door to unprecedented expansions of presidential power. It’s important to remember that Trump, when facing legal challenges in the future, could attempt to issue similar pardons for any number of cases, possibly even himself. The possibilities are truly unsettling.
Finally, it’s worth taking a step back and considering the broader context. This “pardon” isn’t just an isolated incident; it’s another piece in a larger narrative. It’s a statement about power, loyalty, and the ongoing battle over the narrative of the 2020 election. It underscores the challenges facing the justice system, especially when dealing with high-profile figures. While the pardon itself may be meaningless, the message behind it is anything but. It serves as a reminder that the former president, even out of office, is still wielding his influence, and still setting the agenda.