Washington : President Donald Trump, in a first, used his clemency power by pardoning controversial former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio of his conviction for criminal contempt.
“Arpaio, who was a sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona, was found guilty of criminal contempt last month for disregarding a court order in a racial profiling case,” reported CNN.
Arpaio’s sentencing had been scheduled for October 5, reports said.
The White House said that Arpaio gave “years of admirable service to our nation” and called him a “worthy candidate for a presidential pardon.”
Earlier, Trump alluded to pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio during Arizona rally.
“I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy,” the president said on Tuesday night at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix.
“I’ll make a prediction,” Trump said, adding, “I think he’s going to be just fine.”
The self-proclaimed “America’s toughest sheriff,” Arpaio, is a staunch supporter of President Trump and an outspoken critic of undocumented migrants.
Arpaio endorsed Trump’s presidential candidacy in January 2016, wherein Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration a signature campaign issue. (ANI)