DOJ examines Colorado clerk’s role in election claims

DENVER — The Department of Justice is supporting the appeal of a former Colorado county election clerk, convicted for facilitating access to confidential 2020 election data by Trump supporters. This move is the latest by the administration to use federal power to assist allies who violated legal boundaries in support of Trump’s claims.

In a recent federal court filing, Acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General expressed concerns about the prosecution of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is in jail for her role in the 2021 election security breach. The DOJ is reviewing this and other cases for potential “abuses of the criminal justice process.”

Peters gained prominence among those who support Trump’s false allegations of election fraud. Her advocates are pressing the Republican administration to persuade Colorado’s Democratic governor to pardon her. The DOJ’s involvement in a state-level case is a rare step, previously unheard of, signifying the administration’s push to align the federal government with the president’s political goals.

Under Trump’s administration, over a thousand individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots were pardoned. Ed Martin, an attorney representing some of those defendants, was appointed as acting U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., and has since threatened investigations against critics of Trump’s measures. Additionally, corruption charges against New York’s Democratic mayor were dropped by the DOJ to garner cooperation in immigration enforcement.

Mesa County District Attorney Daniel P. Rubinstein, a Republican, prosecuted Peters, asserting that the charges had no political motives and were backed by various county officials and a grand jury. The security breach exposed sensitive voting system information, potentially aiding future election manipulations. Experts warned about the serious implications, which could allow vulnerabilities to be exploited.

At sentencing, District Judge Matthew Barrett criticized Peters, calling her actions deceitful and manipulative. Peters, 69, sentenced to nine years, maintains she was safeguarding election data but continues her appeal in federal court. Her health issues have also been noted in her plea for bail during the appeal process.

Currently held in Larimer County jail, Peters is serving a shorter sentence for a misdemeanor. Her transfer to state prison will follow, where she’ll serve a longer term related to the election data breach. Her legal team has been quiet on recent developments.

The Justice Department’s recent submission highlighted the severity of Peters’ sentencing, urging reconsideration of her detention during the appeal process. The evaluation aims to determine if her prosecution served more political purposes than actual justice.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold criticized the DOJ’s actions, accusing them of distorting the legal system to spread election misinformation. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a firm advocate of election conspiracy theories, has been vocal in calling for Peters’ release, rallying support by accusing the justice system of political bias.

Election security experts have condemned Peters’ actions as clear misconduct. The current administration’s moves, dismantling federal election security measures, have sparked concerns about the integrity of upcoming elections. Recent decisions have affected the Department of Homeland Security’s election-related efforts and paused essential cybersecurity initiatives aiding state and local officials.