WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned former sheriff Joe Arpaio, the retired Arizona lawman who was convicted for intentionally disobeying a judge’s order in an immigration case.
The White House said the 85-year-old ex-sheriff of Arizona’s Maricopa County was a “worthy candidate” for a presidential pardon.
The action came several days after Trump, at a rally in downtown Phoenix, strongly hinted that he intended to issue a pardon.
“So was Sheriff Joe was convicted for doing his job?” Trump asked supporters. “I’ll make a prediction. I think he’s going to be just fine, OK.”
Arpaio, who became linked to Trump during the campaign for their hardline immigration views, was convicted of a misdemeanor for intentionally defying a judge’s order to stop his traffic patrols that targeted immigrants.
Both politicians questioned the authenticity of then-President Barack Obama’s birth certificate and have a similar history in sparring with judges.
In the statement Friday night, the White House said, “Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon.”
I really don’t understand what the big freakin deal is
#1 it’s a misdemeanor
#2 who in this country isn’t in contempt of court
And #3 so what if he had a misdemeanor charge on him
How would that actually affect a man of his age and obvious financial security
Tell em to go pound sand ,pig and go home BFD
I really could care less , afterall he’s still a pig and part of our subjugation
I realize he was upholding our laws , but probably not always , I’m sure there were plenty of people in his county that got fleeced so he and his pig buddies could afford doughnuts and new cop toys
Trump is an asshole for not pardoning the Hammonds and Bundy’s. Arpio was just a shits and giggles circus bark…
Yup,I was thinking the same thing.
Cum’on Trump, lets make it a “really big sho”
Absolutely!
And this should be pushed for , although only charges at this point
No convictions (right?) and that judge is running a court acting like it’s writing law as it goes , so she should be kicked out on her ass
Think, asset forfeiture, and yes, even the duly elected Sheriff’s are in on the theft of the people, those that voted for them.
Sheriffs are enjoying tremendous profits in the county I sit in. One little town just opted out of the drug task force scam because they thought the money it takes to be part of it, and it costs, would be better spent somewhere else, because it’s taxpayers money.
Like Henry says, it’s corrupt all the way down to the dog catcher.