Letter to the Editor:
Tina Peters is a convicted felon and election denier. She illegally interfered with our elections and sought to undermine the will of Colorado voters in service of Donald Trump — another convicted felon and election denier.
At sentencing, District Court Judge Matthew Barrett told Peters, “Your lies are well documented… I’m convinced you’d do it all over again if you could.” Judge Barrett sentenced Peters to nine years in prison, though the Colorado Court of Appeals later found that punishment too harsh. Re-sentencing was pending.
Within the past 24 hours, Gov. Jared Polis granted clemency to this convicted felon and unapologetic election denier. His decision is a bipartisan head-scratcher that has made national and international news. Democrats and Republicans alike are expressing deep dissatisfaction with and objection to Polis’ decision. There is simply no justification for clemency for someone so defiantly unrepentant.
Speculation is rampant as to why Polis acted, with much of it centering on appeasement of Trump. If true, Polis has learned nothing about dictators: they cannot be appeased.
For my part, I don’t care what his rationale is. There are no excuses. His decision is also in defiance of an orderly system of government — defiance of jury verdicts, court sentencing, and election laws that protect our most fundamental right: the right to vote. He could have waited for re-sentencing. He defied that process too.
As Colorado Democrats, we need to show the nation and the world that even governors can be held accountable. If Polis wants to embarrass our state with this deplorable decision, then he should be publicly censured by the Colorado Democratic Party. We should not be left to bear the stain of his unacceptable decisions. Instead, it is up to us to show that Colorado still believes in an orderly system of government.
Polis secured his legacy with this decision. Colorado Democrats must stand apart from and in opposition to Polis. A public censure from his own party would provide deserved embarrassment, meaningful accountability, and a clear message that abuse of clemency power in Colorado has consequences.
We are not powerless unless we choose to be.
Joseph Salazar – Former House of Representatives (2013-2019)
Publisher’s Note:
As of Monday May 18th, a formal complaint was filed with the Colorado Democratic Party against Governor Polis. The complaint seeks a public censure.
