Arizona Congressmen Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, and Tom O’Halleran have issued a letter calling on Donald Trump to not pardon the Crooked Joe Arpaio following his conviction for criminal contempt of court. Trump’s newly announced rally in Arizona has fueled speculation that Trump may both physically and symbolically rescue Arpaio from his due justice:
We are gravely concerned by reports that you are considering a pardon for Joe Arpaio. The former Maricopa County Sheriff was convicted of a serious crime and should pay any fine and serve any sentence in full. We urge you in the strongest possible terms not to grant Mr. Arpaio relief from the penalties he deservedly faces for his illegal conduct and brazen abuse of the public trust. [...]
Last month, Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt of court following his decision to violate a judge’s order compelling his department to cease its unconstitutional immigration enforcement actions. It is worth noting that Arpaio’s own statements played a key role in the conviction, as the former Sheriff had repeatedly declared his intention to flout the law by continuing to illegally detain Latinos in our community. As the judge in the case wrote, “Not only did Defendant abdicate responsibility, he announced to the world and to his subordinates that he was going to continue business as usual no matter who said otherwise.”
“We believe public officials should be held accountable when they commit crimes and that the rule of law should be applied fairly regardless of how powerful an office holder’s friends are,” the letter continues. “By pardoning Mr. Arpaio, an early supporter of your campaign, you would be sending a clear message that your allies are immune from prosecution.”
And as Congressman Gallego also said in a statement, Arpaio “shouldn’t be let off the hook for his crimes just to buy Donald Trump some bonus points with his most racist supporters.” Read the full letter from the Arizona congressmen here.