Trump pardons election official Tina Peters — but she was charged in state court
Trump pardons election official Tina Peters — but she was charged in state court
President Trump said he is granting a pardon to Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk who was convicted of allowing unauthorized access to voting machines — even though the pardon power is widely understood to only apply to federal crimes.
Read the full article on CBS Politics
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is factually accurate. It correctly states that Trump pardoned Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk, and accurately points out that presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes, not state crimes for which Peters was convicted. The article exhibits minimal bias, presenting the information in a straightforward manner.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: President Trump pardoned Tina Peters.
- Verification Source #2: Implies this is true by stating Trump can't free Peters because she was convicted on state charges.
- Verification Source #3: Implies this is true by stating Trump cannot pardon Peters, because her conviction involves state crimes.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: Tina Peters was convicted of allowing unauthorized access to voting machines.
- Verification Source #1: States that Tina Peters violated her duty as an election official and seriously compromised trust with her fellow Coloradans.
- Verification Source #5: States that Tina Peters was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a data-breach scheme.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: Presidential pardon power only applies to federal crimes.
- Verification Source #2: States that there's little Trump can do to actually free Peters, since she was convicted on state, not federal charges.
- Verification Source #3: States that Trump cannot pardon Peters, because her conviction involves state crimes.
- Assessment: Supported
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 3: Trump cannot pardon Peters, because her conviction involves state crimes.
- Source 5: Republican election denier Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years in prison for voting data scheme