TRUMP PARDONS CONTROVERSIAL FORMER SHERIFF
Ariz. lawman convicted of criminal contempt could have gotten brief jail term
President Trump has pardoned former Sheriff Joe Arpaio from his criminal contempt conviction, removing the only legal consequences the lawman faced stemming from a racialprofiling suit.
The WhiteHouse announced the pardon Friday evening in a news release that recounted Arpaio’s lengthy career of “admirable service” in federal and local law enforcement and called him “a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon.”
Reached moments after the announcement, Arpaio said, “I’m very appreciative of the president issuing that pardon. It shows how he backs up law enforcement.”
The former Maricopa County sheriff said he learned of the pardon Friday from his lawyer, who visited Arpaio’s Phoenix- area home.
Arpaio, who lost a 2016 re- election bid ending 24 years in office, also hinted at a political comeback. “I don’t know what I’mgoing to do politically. I toldmy wife that I was through with politics. But now I’ve decided I’m not through with politics because of what’s happening. I didn’t ask for a pardon. It has nothing to do with a pardon. I’ve been saying this for the last couple of months. I’ve got a lot to offer.”
Arpaio, 85, was convicted of criminal contempt on July 31, and was scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5. He faced up to six months in jail. But Trump had hinted at his Tuesday rally in Phoenix that a pardon would be forthcoming.