Arizona Paper’s Editorial Board Slams Arpaio Pardon: ‘Institutional Racism’ Trump’s ‘Goal’
Among the trifecta of major news stories that came out of the White House during a Friday night news dump was the announcement that President Donald Trump had pardoned controversial former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio had recently been convicted of contempt over his continued racial profiling while still sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. (The 85-year-old lost his re-election bid last year.)
There has been no shortage of reactions to the move by the president. But perhaps the hardest hitting and most impactful response is the one delivered by the editorial board of the Arizona Republic.
Considering the paper serves the population that is most familiar with Arpaio lengthy tenure as sheriff, the board’s takedown of the pardon probably holds more weight than any other analysis that is out there. And they didn’t hold back. At all.
Starting the editorial by writing that Trump had empowered the “immigration hardliners and nationalists” that make up his base with the pardon, the board noted that the president also elevated the “disgraced” and “showboat” ex-sheriff who the people of Maricopa County had sent packing last year.
They went on to point out that the pardon was not only a slap in the face to Latinos who had been racially profiled by Arpaio for so many years but also to those in the judicial system who worked to hold Arpaio accountable for his actions.
“The pardon was a sign of pure contempt for every American who believes in justice, human dignity and the rule of law,” the board stated.
And they saved their strongest words for the end of the editorial:
Many hoped Trump would decide to become the president of all the people.
But Trump spent last week demonstrating that he wants to be president of the few.
By pardoning Arpaio, Trump made it clear that institutional racism is not just OK with him. It is a goal.
Following the announcement of his pardon, Arpaio thanked the president, claiming his conviction was a “political witch hunt” and that he loves that Trump supports law enforcement.
[image via screengrab]
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