ACLU: Trump’s pardon of Arpaio ‘a presidential endorsement of racism’

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) slammed President Trump for pardoning former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, calling it a “presidential endorsement of racism.”

“With his pardon of Arpaio, Trump has chosen lawlessness over justice, division over unity, hurt over healing,” ACLU deputy legal director Cecillia Wang said in a statement.

“Once again, the president has acted in support of illegal, failed immigration enforcement practices that target people of color and have been struck down by the courts.”

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“His pardon of Arpaio is a presidential endorsement of racism.”

The White House announced Trump’s decision to pardon Arpaio in a statement Friday night.

“Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration,” the statement said.

“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon.”

Arpaio was convinced in July of criminal contempt after he disobeyed a federal judge’s order to stop racially profiling Latinos while detaining individuals suspected of illegally being in the U.S.