Colorado Attorney General Accuses Trump Administration of "Revenge Campaign"

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has accused the Trump administration of conducting a "revenge campaign" against the state due to its refusal to comply with President Donald Trump's demands regarding former Mesa County elections clerk Tina Peters. Peters was convicted of orchestrating a data breach scheme related to unfounded claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Trump's efforts to secure her release and alter Colorado's mail-in voting system have coincided with federal actions that negatively impact the state.

Associated Press

Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in a scheme that involved unauthorized access to voting equipment, which was part of a broader narrative promoted by Trump alleging widespread election fraud. Despite multiple court rulings affirming the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, Trump continues to assert that the election was stolen from him.

Associated Press

In a recent lawsuit, Weiser contended that the Trump administration's actions, including the dissolution of a climate research lab and threats to cut transportation funding, are retaliatory measures aimed at coercing Colorado into changing its mail-in voting practices and releasing Peters. Weiser stated, “The purpose is clear: to coerce Colorado to end mail-in voting and to release Tina Peters from prison.” A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, countered that Trump is exercising his lawful authority to ensure federal funds align with the agenda supported by the electorate.

Associated Press

Weiser's lawsuit seeks to have U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson declare that Colorado has been unjustly punished, claiming violations of the Constitution's guarantee of state sovereignty. Weiser noted the unprecedented nature of the administration's actions, stating, “We’ve never seen an administration act in a way that is so flatly violating the Constitution.” Meanwhile, Peters is appealing her conviction and is seeking to have Trump's recent symbolic pardon recognized as valid, despite its limitations regarding state crimes.

Associated Press

While Weiser's lawsuit links federal actions directly to the state's refusal to comply with Trump's demands, the administration has not formally responded to these claims. The White House has not confirmed any connection between the funding decisions and Peters' case, leaving ambiguity regarding the motivations behind the federal actions affecting Colorado.

Associated Press

• “The purpose is clear: to coerce Colorado to end mail-in voting and to release Tina Peters from prison.” — Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

Associated Press

• “I recognize this is a novel request, and that’s because this is an unprecedented administration,” — Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

Associated Press

• “President Trump is using his lawful and discretionary authority to ensure federal dollars are being spent in a way that aligns with the agenda endorsed by the American people when they resoundingly reelected the President,” — Abigail Jackson, White House Spokeswoman

Associated Press

This ongoing conflict highlights the tensions between state and federal authority, particularly in the context of election integrity and voting practices.

Associated Press