President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio undermines respect for law
August 29, 2017
President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio undermines respect for law
President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio -- convicted of criminal contempt of court after violating an order to stop racially profiling Latinos -- undermines respect for law. The fact that the President did not follow the practice of Justice Department review, which requires that the violator admit guilt and show remorse, makes it clear that his pardon was a purely political act on behalf of a supporter. This action reflects the anti-immigrant, anti-Latino stereotypes so evident both in the 2016 presidential campaign and in Arpaio’s well-documented history of illegally detaining and systematically discriminating against Latinos in Maricopa County, Arizona. Among many violations, Arpaio’s jail was converted into a tent city, which the Sherriff called a “concentration camp,” and where detainees were subjected to frequent use of excessive force, pepper spray, and restraint chairs (that killed three inmates), allotted only two meals a day, and made to endure unbearably hot temperatures in the Arizona summer, sometimes with limited water supplies.
In this case the target of discrimination is Latinos, but in Trump’s other recent policy changes and statements, the targets are African Americans, Muslims, Jews, and LGBTQ and transgender individuals – all categories of persons for whom the federal government has an explicit duty under law to protect their civil rights. All persons living in the U.S. deserve to be free of harassment and prejudice -- including by law enforcement officers and elected officials -- and to be treated in a respectful manner.
The Civil Rights Project condemns the actions of Joe Arpaio and the action of Donald Trump in pardoning a convicted criminal who has shown no regard for the rights of Latinos in the United States. The President has sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States, but this pardon undermines the trust of millions in our system of justice.
We urge Arizona officials to examine the extent to which Arpaio has violated state law and ordinances since state offenses cannot be pardoned by the President.
We also call on leaders of major U.S. institutions to join us in condemnation of this misuse of the President's pardon authority.
Gary Orfield and Patricia Gandara
Codirectors, Civil Rights Project
