Whitehouse Statement on Pardon of Arpaio

Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Maricopa County, AZ, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty on criminal contempt charges for disobeying a federal court order to stop imprisoning people solely on suspicion of illegal immigration status:

“Sheriff Arpaio systemically discriminated against Arizona Latinos in defiance of our Constitution and ignored our courts.  He does not deserve a pardon.  Now is a time to bind the wounds left by‎ white nationalists’ repugnant attacks in Charlottesville.  Instead, President Trump has again doubled down on the side of ignorance, bigotry, intolerance, and hate.

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