Former Mesa County election clerk Tina Peters has allegedly been threatened and violently attacked multiple times inside a Colorado state prison, intensifying concerns that the high-profile election-integrity advocate is being targeted as a political prisoner rather than simply serving a sentence.​
In a letter to President Donald Trump, attorney Peter Ticktin wrote that “about 6 months ago, Mrs. Peters was threatened with harm. Her life was threatened by a group of inmates, to stab her and to kill her,” adding that the incident was reported to the FBI and Department of Justice, which sent agents to interview her. Peters was then moved to a different unit, but, according to Ticktin, “in the new unit, she was attacked by other prisoners 3 times in different locations where guards had to pull inmates off of her.”​
Ticktin’s letter, filed as part of a formal pardon application to Trump, also notes that Peters has repeatedly asked to be moved to a safer unit reserved for nonviolent, vulnerable inmates, but those requests have allegedly been denied six times without explanation. In other public comments, the attorney has warned that Peters fears she will “die there,” describing her as depressed, in deteriorating physical condition, and held in conditions that would cause “people [to] go mad in solitary.”​
Trump has repeatedly called for Peters’ release, most recently blasting Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) for refusing to act. “This lightweight Governor, who has allowed his State to go to hell (Tren de Aragua, anyone?), should be ashamed of himself,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding the demand: “FREE TINA!” Earlier this year, Trump also directed the Justice Department to explore moving Peters into federal custody or otherwise securing her release, framing her as “an innocent Political Prisoner being horribly and unjustly punished in the form of Cruel and Unusual Punishment.”​
National File has previously reported on Peters’ legal fight, including her federal habeas corpus petition arguing that Colorado courts denied her bond to silence her criticisms of the state’s election system, in violation of her First Amendment rights. At a July hearing, Ticktin told the court, “We have a person in prison because of a fear that she’s a danger to society because of what she might say,” underscoring the argument that Peters is being punished for speech rather than genuine public-safety concerns.​
Amid growing allegations that Peters has faced death threats, been assaulted three times by inmates, and denied adequate protection or medical care—despite notifications to the FBI and DOJ—her case has galvanized calls for her immediate release or pardon, including direct appeals to President Trump. Tina Peters’ ordeal underscores a profound injustice, positioning her as a political prisoner and American hero unjustly silenced for championing election transparency amid a system that punishes dissent.
