Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe

President Donald Trump on Friday night granted a presidential pardon to the controversial former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio, 85, who once led the Maricopa County sheriff’s department, was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for violating the terms of a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case. He lost a re-election bid last year.

Trump earlier this week held out the possibility of a pardon for Arpaio, but at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, Trump hinted that Arpaio would be “just fine,” immediately prompting speculation that a presidential pardon was imminent.

The US Constitution gives presidents wide latitude for pardons and does not require them to check with the Justice Department beforehand. “The President executed his lawful authority and we respect his decision,” the DOJ said on Friday. (Read more from “Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe” HERE)

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