How’d that Arpaio pardon go over? What America’s real leaders are saying
It’s an untypical Friday night in America. A category four hurricane is about to slam the population-dense coast of Texas.
What better time for Donald Trump’s communications people to let it slip that he has pardoned Joe Arpaio, a racist sheriff whose contempt for funadmental civil rights made him a felon?
As I am sure you can imagine, it did not go over well. The NY Times‘ Maggie Haberman said that Republicans have been “mostly silent” – but the ones who did speak out are they type of Republican that make a difference when it comes ro public and media perception.
Here is a slice of the high-profile reaction:
DNC Chairman Tom Perez: “Donald Trump just gave a free pass to his buddy Joe Arpaio, the nation’s most notorious agent of racism and bigotry, during a natural disaster that could hurt millions. That’s not presidential, that’s a coward.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): “No one is above the law and the individuals entrusted with the privilege of being sworn law officers should always seek to be beyond reproach in their commitment to fairly enforcing the laws they swore to uphold. Mr. Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt for continuing to illegally profile Latinos living in Arizona based on their perceived immigration status in violation of a judge’s orders. The President has the authority to make this pardon, but doing so at this time undermines his claim for the respect of rule of law as Mr. Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders:
By pardoning Sheriff Arpaio, Trump has again made clear he will use the powers of the presidency to defend racism and discrimination.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2017
The thousands of people terrorized and brutalized by Arpaio’s illegal actions deserve justice. No one in America should live in fear.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 26, 2017
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ): “As millions of people in TX and LA are prepping for the hurricane, the President is using the cover of the storm to pardon a man who violated a court’s order to stop discriminating against Latinos and ban courageous transgender men and women from serving our nation’s Armed Forces. Then he ran to Camp David.”
Regarding the Arpaio pardon, I would have preferred that the President honor the judicial process and let it take its course.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) August 26, 2017
Sen. Chuck Schumer:
As millions of people in TX and LA are prepping for the hurricane, the President is using the cover of the storm to 1/
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 26, 2017
Pardon a man who violated a court’s order to stop discriminating against Latinos and 2/
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 26, 2017
Pardon a man who violated a court’s order to stop discriminating against Latinos and 2/
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 26, 2017
Then he ran to Camp David.
The only reason to do these right now is to use the cover of Hurricane Harvey to avoid scrutiny 4/
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 26, 2017
So sad, so weak. 5/5
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 26, 2017
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI):
Arpaio was convicted of defying court order to stop violating #4thAmendment. It’s a pardon of a govt official who ignored Bill of Rights.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) August 26, 2017
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
Ban on transgender patriots eager to serve and defend our nation. Pardon for Sheriff who specialized in tormenting immigrants. Ay Dios mío.
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) August 26, 2017
Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics:
Vile!! What POTUS says “exemplifies selfless public service” is: dehumanizing inmates, racial profiling, and gleefully defying a court order
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 26, 2017
Every one of you WH staffers owns this disgusting unamerican racist pro-authoritarian gesture forever like it was tattooed on your forehead.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 26, 2017
This pardon also departs from procedural norms. And as an affirmative act by POTUS, it reveals an emboldening. A harbinger of worse to come.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 26, 2017
https://t.co/DlI18hEfhu pic.twitter.com/rJGPimjAbA
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 26, 2017
And in the unlikely case you believe this reaction is overblown, read this analysis from Newsweek.
