Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara accused President Trump of violating the Justice Department’s guidelines for issuing pardons with his pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Friday.
“This pardon is contrary to DOJ guidelines, unsurprisingly. Pure politics. Wonder what the pardon attorney’s official recommendation was,” Bharara tweeted.
“Here are the normal standards for pardons under DOJ guidelines. See 1-2.112,” Bharara followed-up with a link to a document issued by the DOJ in regards to standards for pardons.
Although, it is not clear which of the standards Bharara is referring to, the pardon of former Sheriff Arpaio was protected by the Constitution as Trump is granted the power of issuing pardons as president of the United States. However, most pardons go through a Department of Justice screening process before becoming official; it does not appear Arpaio’s pardon went through that process.
This pardon is contrary to DOJ guidelines, unsurprisingly. Pure politics. Wonder what the pardon attorney’s official recommendation was. https://t.co/jErRZiJnxy
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) August 26, 2017
Here are the normal standards for pardons under DOJ guidelines. See 1-2.112. https://t.co/VHe4y4T2fQ
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) August 26, 2017
