The Pardon Puzzle: Why Tina Peters Stays Behind Bars

Tina Peters, a former election official, is in a tricky spot. She's been in prison for nine years because she messed with voting machines. Recently, Donald Trump pardoned her, but that doesn't mean she's walking free. Here's why. Trump said he pardoned Peters because she tried to expose voter fraud. He claimed she just wanted fair elections. But the problem is, Trump's pardon only covers federal offenses. Peters was convicted under state laws, so the pardon doesn't apply. Colorado officials have made it clear: the state has its own rules, and Trump can't override them. Peters is a big deal in some circles. She's a Trump supporter and a vocal critic of the 2020 election results. She even tried to stop officials from taking her iPad during an arrest, which went viral. A judge called her out in court, saying she's not a hero but a "charlatan" selling false claims.Trump's pardon has caused some confusion. Some of his supporters wondered why Peters wasn't included in a previous round of pardons. Trump's pardon attorney said they were working on it. Peters' lawyer even joked about using the military to free her, which caused quite a stir. Colorado's governor and attorney general have spoken up. They said Trump's pardon is meaningless for state convictions. They also accused Trump of trying to intimidate the state's justice system. Meanwhile, Peters remains in state custody, and Colorado officials have no plans to transfer her to a federal prison.