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Top Republican Paul Ryan condemns Joe Arpaio pardon Trump Arpaio: Top Republican Paul Ryan condemns pardon for sheriff
(about 2 hours later)
The decision by President Donald Trump to pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio over his criminal contempt conviction was wrong, the top-ranking Republican in Congress has said. US President Donald Trump should not have pardoned a former Arizona sheriff who took a hard line on immigrants, the top Republican in Congress has said.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said that he did not agree with the decision. Paul Ryan, speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke out after Mr Trump pardoned Joe Arpaio, convicted last month of criminal contempt.
Mr Arpaio, 85, was found guilty after he defied a court order to stop traffic patrols targeting suspected immigrants. Mr Arpaio had defied a court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants suspected of being illegal.
He said his conviction was "a witch hunt by the Obama justice department". President Trump tried to have the case dropped months ago, US media say.
Mr Ryan is the latest senior politician to condemn the former policeman's pardon. He asked both Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, and Donald F McGahn II, the White House counsel, what the options were for helping Mr Arpaio, a longtime Trump supporter, the New York Times says, quoting unnamed officials.
"Law enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States. We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon," his spokesman said in a statement. Mr McGahn and Mr Sessions both promptly told the president the case could not be dropped and the charges wiped away, according to the officials, speaking anonymously.
Other prominent Republican critics include Arizona Senator John McCain and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Arizona's other Republican Senator Jeff Flake also condemned the move as did Democrats and human rights campaigners. "After talking with Sessions, Trump decided to let the case go to trial, and if Arpaio was convicted, he could grant clemency," a Washington Post story says.
Mr Arpaio's lawyer Jack Wilenchik said that those critical of his pardon were wrong because he was unfairly prosecuted - there was no jury in his case. 'Diminished by this pardon'
"The speaker does not agree with the decision," Mr Ryan's spokesman, Doug Andres, said.
"Law-enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States. We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon."
Other prominent critics of the pardon from within Mr Trump's Republican Party include Arizona Senator John McCain and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Arizona's other Republican senator, Jeff Flake, also condemned the move as did Democrats and human rights campaigners.
Mr Arpaio, 85, has described his conviction as "a witch hunt by the Obama justice department".
His lawyer, Jack Wilenchik, said those criticising his pardon were wrong because he had been unfairly prosecuted, with no jury.
The pardon is unusual in several respects, according to an Associated Press analysis:
The former sheriff was an eager supporter of Mr Trump's campaign to become president and backed tougher policies to combat illegal immigration.The former sheriff was an eager supporter of Mr Trump's campaign to become president and backed tougher policies to combat illegal immigration.
In a statement announcing the pardon, his first, Mr Trump said: "Arpaio's life and career, which began at the age of 18 when he enlisted in the military after the outbreak of the Korean War, exemplify selfless public service. In a statement announcing the pardon, Mr Trump said his life and career exemplified "selfless public service".
"Throughout his time as sheriff, Arpaio continued his life's work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. "Throughout his time as sheriff, Arpaio continued his life's work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration," the president said.
"Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old, and after more than 50 years of admirable service to our nation, he is a worthy candidate for a presidential pardon." The former policeman has said he may consider running for public office again, despite his age.
The former policeman has said that he may consider running for political office again, despite his age.
He lost a bid for re-election in Arizona's Maricopa County in November 2016, after 24 years in office.
Mr Arpaio, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, could have faced six months in jail at his sentencing in October.
He served in the US military before he became a police officer - where he quickly acquired a reputation for his anti-immigration stance and tough enforcement tactics.