Firestorm as Dem slashes sentence for MAGA election denier: 'Sends a worrisome signal'

Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) finally did what he has been hinting he would do for months, and commuted the sentence of convicted MAGA election tampering county clerk Tina Peters — cutting her sentence from 9 years to 4.5 years, which would make her eligible for parole in less than a month. This comes after Peters issued a statement apologizing for her crimes, which was one of the conditions Polis put on considering clemency.

Democratic officials in Colorado had warned Polis for months to stop considering clemency for Peters, whose release has been an obsession of President Donald Trump and his followers for years — and with this decision, the dam broke on social media.

"I vehemently disagree with Gov. Polis’s decision to commute Tina Peters’ sentence," wrote Sen. Michael Bennet, who is currently running for governor to replace Polis. "She broke the law, undermined our elections, and was convicted by a jury of her peers. With Trump continuing to attack Colorado, we must stand strong for our institutions and the rule of law."

"By commuting Tina Peters' prison sentence, Gov. Polis has ceded the power of state law to hold people accountable when they subvert our democracy," wrote Towards Justice executive director David Seligman. "I’m running for Attorney General to take on a rigged system, and to stand up to Democrats, including the governor, when they bend to the powerful at the expense of working families."

"Why did Polis cave on this? This is so wrong!" wrote activist and author Amy Siskind.

"Tina Peters attacked our democracy. She should face the consequences," wrote state Rep. Manny Rutinel, currently a candidate for Congress.

"The below is hardly an apology — or accountability for what Peters actually did — but it appears enough for @JaredPolis to claim she's met his usual remorse standard," wrote Jimmy Sengenberger of the Denver Gazette, posting an image of Peters' clemency application. "The reality remains unchanged: Tina Peters was convicted by a jury on multiple, serious felonies after compromising her own county's election system. In granting clemency anyway, as appears likely, Polis will own the political and moral fallout from overriding that accountability."

"Nobody is above the law, and the right to vote is sacred. Tina Peters was convicted of tampering with Colorado’s elections and has shown no remorse for her actions," wrote congressional candidate Shannon Bird. "Today’s commutation sends a worrisome signal that our state will bend to political pressure from an out-of-control president hellbent on punishing Colorado."

"Governor @jaredpolis is wrong to commute Tina Peters's sentence today," wrote state Sen. Julie Gonzales, who is currently running for U.S. Senate. "It's time for Democrats to stand up to Donald Trump, not bend the knee."