The White House has reportedly prepared the required paperwork for President Trump to sign to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
CNN reported on Wednesday the White House also prepared notes that the administration plans to send to surrogates after President Trump makes the final decision to pardon Arpaio.
President Trump hinted during his rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night that he might pardon Arpaio.
“I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy,” Trump said. “I’ll make a prediction, I think he’s going to be just fine.”
Pres. Trump hints that he’ll pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio: “I think he’s going to be just fine.” https://t.co/DXfsoSuFcC pic.twitter.com/kxZrQSl9UF
— ABC News (@ABC) August 23, 2017
Arpaio was found guilty in July of criminal contempt for “defying a judge’s 2011 court order to refrain from racially profiling Latinos during patrols and turning them over to federal immigration authorities,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Trump administration plans to highlight the 85-year-old’s 50 years of service to the U.S. in the military, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and as Arizona’s Maricopa County sheriff.
Arpaio, known for his tough stances on illegal immigration, lost his reelection bid in November after George Soros spent $2 million to defeat him.
Arpaio faces a maximum of six months in jail when sentenced on October 5.