Reuters is reporting: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday granted a pardon to former Arizona lawman and political ally Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in America,” less than a month after he was convicted of criminal contempt in a case involving his department’s racial profiling policy.
Trump had signaled this week that the first presidential pardon of his administration would go to Arpaio, 85, whom he has frequently praised for his hardline immigration stance.
Here’s a hint from President Trump during his speech this past week in Phoenix:
“I think he’s going to be just fine” – President Trump
STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
BREAKING: President Trump pardons former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio pic.twitter.com/P56QQ3agmy
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) August 26, 2017