• Trump posted that Governor Jared Polis and a district attorney should “rot in hell” over Tina Peters’ imprisonment
• The harsh Wednesday message came one day after Trump vetoed a bipartisan Colorado water infrastructure bill
• Peters is serving nine years for allowing unauthorized access to voting machines while promoting 2020 election fraud claims

WASHINGTON (TDR) — President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Colorado officials Wednesday, demanding the release of imprisoned former county clerk Tina Peters and declaring that Governor Jared Polis and a Republican district attorney should “rot in hell.” The New Year’s Eve Truth Social post marks Trump’s harshest language yet against Colorado leadership and raises concerns about whether the president is targeting the state for political payback.

Trump Demands Peters Release in Scathing Post

Trump’s Wednesday message specifically named Polis and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein, calling for Peters’ immediate freedom. The 68-year-old former Mesa County clerk is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for security breach and misconduct charges related to her handling of voting equipment.

“Tina Peters should be released from prison immediately. Governor Jared Polis and the Republican District Attorney should rot in hell for what they have done to her.”

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The president’s intervention on behalf of Peters represents an extraordinary step, with Trump using his platform to attack both Democratic and Republican officials over a state-level criminal case. Peters became a prominent figure in election denial circles after allowing unauthorized individuals to access Mesa County voting machines in 2021 while she promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election.

Timing Raises Retaliation Questions

Trump’s attack came just 24 hours after he vetoed a bipartisan water infrastructure bill that would have provided critical funding for Colorado water projects. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amendment had broad support from both parties and was designed to address Western water scarcity issues affecting multiple states.

Political analysts suggest the rapid succession of actions against Colorado interests indicates a pattern of presidential retaliation. The state has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, particularly after Colorado attempted to remove him from the 2024 primary ballot under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause before the Supreme Court intervened.

Peters Case Background and Conviction

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Peters was convicted in August 2024 on seven felony counts, including criminal impersonation and conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation. Prosecutors proved she allowed unauthorized access to Mesa County’s election system by creating false credentials for individuals who then copied sensitive voting machine data.

The former county clerk became a celebrity in election conspiracy circles, appearing at events alongside prominent election deniers and claiming without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen. Her actions compromised the security of Mesa County’s voting equipment, forcing the county to replace the entire system at significant taxpayer expense.

District Attorney Rubinstein, a Republican, prosecuted the case based on evidence that Peters violated Colorado election security laws. The trial featured testimony from election officials and computer forensic experts who detailed how Peters’ actions exposed sensitive voting system information.

Polis Responds to Presidential Attack

Governor Polis has not yet issued a public response to Trump’s Wednesday post. The Democratic governor previously defended Colorado’s election security measures and supported the prosecution of anyone who compromised voting system integrity, regardless of political affiliation.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office has maintained that Peters’ conviction was based on clear evidence of criminal conduct and had nothing to do with her political views or election fraud claims. State officials emphasized that allowing unauthorized access to voting equipment violated multiple state and federal security protocols.

Bipartisan Concerns Over Presidential Interference

Trump’s call for Peters’ release has drawn criticism from election security experts who warn that presidential interference in state criminal cases undermines the rule of law. Legal scholars note that the president has no constitutional authority to order state officials to release prisoners convicted under state law.

Some Republican officials in Colorado have privately expressed concern about Trump’s attack on Rubinstein, a fellow Republican who they say was simply enforcing state law. The district attorney’s prosecution of Peters followed standard procedures and resulted in a jury conviction, not a political decision.

The National Association of Secretaries of State has previously warned that undermining confidence in election security professionals and prosecutions creates dangerous precedents. Election officials across the country have faced increasing threats and harassment since 2020, leading many to leave public service.

Political Fallout and Future Implications

Trump’s simultaneous veto of Colorado water funding and demand for Peters’ release suggests the president may be using federal authority to pressure states that opposed him politically. Colorado Democrats have called the actions vindictive and harmful to state residents who had nothing to do with legal proceedings against Trump.

The water infrastructure veto particularly concerns Western state officials who rely on federal partnerships to manage scarce water resources. Utah, Arizona, and Nevada officials are monitoring whether Colorado’s treatment signals potential retaliation against other states that challenged Trump’s 2024 candidacy.

Peters remains in custody at a Colorado state facility, where she is expected to serve most of her nine-year sentence. Her legal team has appealed the conviction, arguing that she was targeted for her political beliefs, but appellate courts have so far declined to overturn the jury’s verdict.

Should presidents intervene in state criminal prosecutions, or does Trump’s demand for Peters’ release cross a constitutional line?

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