Trump criticizes California’s pardons

Gov. Jerry Brown of California has pardoned five ex-convicts facing possible deportation, drawing criticism Saturday from President Donald Trump and heightening continued tensions between Washington, D.C., and California.

The five immigrants were among 56 pardons and 14 commutations that Brown granted on Friday to those who have been out of custody for at least 10 years and have exhibited ‘‘exemplary behavior’’ after their convictions, the governor’s press office said.

The five include a U.S. military veteran, Sokha Chhan, a refugee from Cambodia who served nearly a year in jail for the misdemeanors of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize. Phann Pheach, another Cambodian refugee who was pardoned, served six months for possession of a controlled substance for sale and obstructing a police officer.

The other three are Daniel Maher, who spent five years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping, robbery and using a firearm, and who is heads a recycling program in Berkeley; Sergio Mena, who was sentenced in 2003 and put on probation for three years for possession of a controlled substance for sale; and Francisco Acevedo Alaniz, who served five months for vehicle theft.

Trump tweeted a list of crimes that he linked to the five and asked, “Is this really what the great people of California want?”