Former Maricopa, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio may receive a pardon from President Donald Trump. White House officials claim the papers are prepared and awaiting the president’s signature. Once signed, the former lawman convicted of contempt of court on July 31, 2017 will be free.
After opting for a bench trial (trial by judge, not a jury), Mr. Arpaio faced federal Judge Susan R. Bolton. Arpaio, 85, was subsequently convicted of contempt of court, a misdemeanor, and is scheduled for sentencing on October 5, 2017. Arapio immediately waged his intent to appeal the guilty verdict. In the context of presidential pardon, an appeal won’t be necessary.
“I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy, all right? But Sheriff Joe can feel good.”
While at his Phoenix, Arizona rally on Tuesday night, President Trump implied his intention to exonerate Arpaio. Pres. Trump stated, “I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy, all right? But Sheriff Joe can feel good.” The president sounds like some relief is in store.
Racial Profiling
The tough-as-nails lawman from Maricopa County was accused of violating a court-order barring his office from racial profiling tactics. Specifically, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) under Arapio’s tutelage targeted the Hispanic demographic to enforce US immigration laws by singling-out Latinos to determine their status.
Given then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign, trumpeting ICE agents to net and deport illegal immigrants, then-Sheriff Arpaio became a feather in President Trump’s national-security cap.
Mr. Arpaio even spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2016. Now, President Trump speaks for him, with a pardon and accolades.
“Was sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?” asked President Trump at Tuesday night’s Phoenix rally. That sounds like more than a pardon and perhaps an invitation. How do you size it all up?