Today, Tina Peters walked out of prison.
The former Colorado county clerk left La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo, Colorado, after serving less than a quarter of a sentence. She was incarcerated for her role in a data-breach scheme that stemmed from false claims about the 2020 election, having used her office to help leak data from Mesa County’s voting system. She left unrepentant, still selling a lie that puts our elections and their law-abiding officials at risk.
And Peters may soon receive another break.
Potential beneficiaries of this fund include hundreds who stormed the Capitol and assaulted police officers on Jan. 6.
The Department of Justice recently announced an unprecedented $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund to compensate people whom the administration has said were harmed by the justice system. At a May press conference, Vice President JD Vance defended the idea of compensating Peters with this fund.
“Is it reasonable for her to get some compensation for the fact that she was treated unfairly? I think the answer is yes,” he said.
Some people believe Peters was sentenced too harshly and deserved clemency. I couldn’t disagree more. But whatever you may think of her commutation, taxpayers should never pay people who subvert our elections.
Of course, Peters is not alone. Potential beneficiaries of this fund include hundreds who stormed the Capitol and assaulted police officers on Jan. 6. The leader of the Proud Boys is hoping for a payout of up to $5 million. Another Jan. 6 defendant is planning to seek $30 million. That is your money — money that could be spent on healthcare, childcare or affordable housing.
It should not be controversial to say people who attack American democracy should not receive taxpayer-funded payouts. As hardworking Americans struggle with rising costs, those convicted of undermining elections are the last people the government should subsidize. On Friday, a Virginia judge temporarily stopped the DOJ from taking further action to create the fund or disburse money. I’m working to stop it permanently and will introduce an amendment to the Republicans’ upcoming reconciliation bill to prohibit the DOJ from distributing these funds to individuals convicted of election-related crimes.
My concerns with this fund go beyond just who could profit from the payouts. The fund’s structure raises serious questions about abuse, accountability and transparency. According to the DOJ, the payouts will be determined by a five-member panel, four of whom would be appointed by the administration. While acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has vowed transparency, the terms of the fund do not clearly require the public disclosure of recipients or payouts.
The same spirit that created “Don’t Tread on Me” also created a republic built on the rule of law, election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power.
The administration’s proposal has already drawn some bipartisan ire. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., recently warned that “your taxpayer dollars and my taxpayer dollars could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted their guilt, got convicted, got pardoned and now we are going to pay them for that. That’s absurd.”
He’s right. And soon every single senator will be forced to go on the record.
At Peters’ sentencing, State District Court Judge Matthew Barrett did not mince words, telling Peters, “You’re a charlatan who used and is still using your prior position in office to peddle snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.”
If only this were merely about snake oil.
Our nation was founded on the idea that citizens have the right to challenge authority. But the same spirit that created “Don’t Tread on Me” also created a republic built on the rule of law, election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power. When people who attack those institutional pillars in bad faith are recast as victims and patriots, we dishonor the generations who defended this republic and fail the generations that will inherit it.
As America marks its 250th anniversary, we should remember Benjamin Franklin’s warning when asked whether the founders had created a republic or a monarchy: “A republic, if you can keep it.” That starts with defending free and fair elections and refusing to reward those who attack them with your taxpayer money.
John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is a U.S. senator from Colorado.