"Arpaio was recently convicted of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge’s order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. Trump’s pardon is particularly unusual since Arpaio has not been sentenced yet. The move may prompt questions about how extensively Trump will use his pardon power, including whether he will do so on behalf of individuals caught up in the Russia investigation."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...bar&tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.9bada1e998ee
Arpaio is controversial for multiple reasons including election law violations in campaigning for sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, failure to investigate sex crimes, misuse of funds, abuse of power, unlawful enforcement of immigration legislation, endorsement of conspiracy theories, and racial profiling. According to the Department of Justice "Arpaio oversaw the worst pattern of racial profiling in U.S. history". Coming shortly after Trump's controversial remarks following violence in Virginia, a UN statement on racism in America, and an ongoing investigation into the Russiagate scandal, this will be a lightning rod for his critics.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...bar&tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.9bada1e998ee
Arpaio is controversial for multiple reasons including election law violations in campaigning for sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, failure to investigate sex crimes, misuse of funds, abuse of power, unlawful enforcement of immigration legislation, endorsement of conspiracy theories, and racial profiling. According to the Department of Justice "Arpaio oversaw the worst pattern of racial profiling in U.S. history". Coming shortly after Trump's controversial remarks following violence in Virginia, a UN statement on racism in America, and an ongoing investigation into the Russiagate scandal, this will be a lightning rod for his critics.