Outrage over talk of Arpaio pardon
UNITED STATES: President Donald Trump says he may grant a pardon to former Sheriff Joe Arpaio following his recent conviction in federal court, prompting outrage among critics who say the move would amount to an endorsement of racism.
Trump told Fox News during an interview that he was seriously considering issuing a pardon within the next few days. That was welcome news for the former Phoenix-area sheriff, who lost a reelection bid in November and who was convicted of misdemeanour contempt of court on July 31.
But it angered immigrant rights activists and others who say it amounts to support for racism on the same day that Trump disavowed white nationalists whose rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent this weekend, leaving one woman dead.
A federal judge ruled in 2013 that Arpaio’s officers racially profiled Latinos. But the sheriff refused to stop his immigration patrols, eventually leading to the criminal contempt of court case that he’s embroiled in. It also contributed to his failed re-election bid last year.
Arpaio said he was glad Trump stood by him.
‘‘I didn’t ask for it, but if he’s going to offer, I will accept, because I’m not guilty. So appreciate his interest in my matter here in Phoenix,’' Arpaio said.
Mark Goldman, his attorney, said yesterday that he was filing two motions for a judgment of acquittal and to vacate the verdict for a new trial. The motions are not appeals.
‘‘We’re filing these motions because there was absolutely no evidence in support of the judge’s verdict, the verdict was contrary to the evidence provided in court, and the verdict is a gross miscarriage of justice,’' Goldman said.
Trump had told Fox that Arpaio is ‘‘a great American patriot’' and said he hates to see what has happened to him, according to the news report. He cited his long service in law enforcement and said many Arizona citizens respected his approach to crime.
The two have been allies for the past couple of years. Arpaio campaigned for Trump at rallies in Iowa, Nevada and Arizona, and he gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in which he said Trump would prevent immigrants from coming into the country illegally. Trump has also invoked the former sheriff in his calls for tougher immigration enforcement.
‘‘I’ve been with him from day one,’' Arpaio said.
Cecillia Wang, deputy legal director for the ACLU, criticised the idea that Trump could pardon Arpaio, saying the former sheriff had violated court orders that prohibited illegal detention of Latinos.
‘‘Make no mistake: This would be an official presidential endorsement of racism,’' Wang said.
Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said in statement that Trump’s comments to Fox were hypocritical and demonstrate ‘‘how inextricably conflicted he is about condemning racism and the targeting of racial minorities’'. -AP