Trump says he's pardoned Tina Peters, but that may not save her from prison

President Trump says he pardoned Colorado's former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters for her "attempts to expose Voter Fraud" in the 2020 presidential election in a Truth Social post Thursday evening. The big picture: Trump has been vocal about his intentions to free Peters — one of the nation's most prominent 2020 election deniers — from her prison sentence, despite having no jurisdiction over state-level cases. Trump previously threatened to retaliate against the state of Colorado if Peters was not released.Hours before Trump's post, Peters' attorney Peter Ticktin shared a letter he sent Trump on Sunday that formally asked him to pardon his client. He did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. What they're saying: Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement, "No President has jurisdiction over state law nor the power to pardon a person for state convictions. This is a matter for the courts to decide, and we will abide by court orders."Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) told Axios, "The idea that a president could pardon someone tried and convicted in state court has no precedent in American law, would be an outrageous departure from what our constitution requires, and will not hold up."Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said on X, "Tina Peters is rightfully in Colorado state prison.Trump's corrupt and political attempts at a pardon won't work here."The White House referred Axios to Trump's Truth Social post.Catch up quick: Peters was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison and six months in county jail in 2024 for her role in tampering with county voting and records equipment after the 2020 election. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but a jury had convicted her on seven of 10 charges, including four felonies.The Justice Department, which also has no authority to overturn a state conviction, said it would review Peters case in March in an attempt to boost her federal appeal. Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Axios' Esteban L. Hernandez contributed reporting.