President Trump is reportedly considering a pardon for Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., who was found guilty of criminal contempt of court last month.
“I am seriously considering a pardon for Sheriff Arpaio,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday. “He has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. He’s a great American patriot and I hate to see what has happened to him.”
The president called Arpaio an “outstanding sheriff” and said he could issue the pardon in the next few days if he decides to do so.
“I might do it right away, maybe early this week,” he said. “I am seriously thinking about it.”
Trump also praised Arpaio for his work addressing illegal immigration and said his crackdown has “saved lives.”
“Is there anyone in local law enforcement who has done more to crack down on illegal immigration than Sheriff Joe?” the president asked. “He has protected people from crimes and saved lives. He doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.”
A U.S. district judge held Arpaio, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration, in criminal contempt of court last month.
The Arizona sheriff refused to follow orders from a judge to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants. Arpaio reportedly continued with his traffic patrols for 17 months after the judge’s orders.
He was first found in civil contempt of court by a different judge in May 2016.
Arpaio earned the reputation of “America’s toughest sheriff” and admitted he continued with the patrols, but didn’t intend to break the law. Instead, Arpaio said one of his former lawyers didn’t fully explain the full restrictions that were in the court order.
The Arizona sheriff faces up to six months in jail, and Arpaio is expected to be sentenced Oct. 5.
Arpaio told Fox News he wouldn’t request a pardon from Trump and wanted to protect the president from potential backlash if he did issue the pardon.
“I am happy he understands the case,” Arpaio said. “I would accept the pardon because I am 100 percent not guilty.
“I would never ask him for a pardon, especially if it causes heat,” the sheriff continued. “I don’t want to do anything that would hurt the president.”
