60 Minutes transcript: Trump, Tina Peters and funds for Colorado
Summary
The Trump administration denied Colorado’s request for federal disaster aid after the 2025 Lee fire, which burned nearly 138,000 acres. Colorado officials and critics linked the decision and other federal actions to President Trump’s efforts to secure the release of Tina Peters, while the White House said disaster-relief decisions were not politicized.Key Facts
- A Colorado jury convicted former Mesa County election official Tina Peters in a case involving tampering with voting machines, and a judge sentenced her to nine years in prison.
- Peters supported Trump’s false claims that rigged voting machines cost him the 2020 election.
- The Lee fire burned nearly 138,000 acres in August 2025 and destroyed almost all of Kathleen Kelly’s 2,000-acre ranch.
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the fire met the requirements for a federal disaster declaration, but the Trump administration denied his request for aid.
- Trump warned on social media that he would take harsh measures if Peters was not released.
- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the administration’s actions were punishment connected to Peters and said the state was fighting back.
- The article says the administration also threatened food aid, canceled $109 million in transportation funding, and moved to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
- The White House denied politicizing disaster relief and described the actions as independent agency decisions.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
