Joe Arpaio, police chief of Maricopa County, Arizona, was charged with failing to comply with court orders last month in a criminal case involving suspected illegal immigrants. The trial of Joe Arpaio is scheduled to take place on October 5 and he is at risk of facing a 6-month prison sentence.
President Donald Trump said he would forgive Joe Arpaio at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this week: "I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. I will make an announcement in advance".
Previously, Mr. Donald Trump mentioned that he would "seriously consider" the pardon of Joe Arpaio in an interview with Fox News on August 14. He added: He (Joe Arpaio) did a lot for the fight against illegal immigration.
However, human rights groups opposed Donald Trump's amnesty decision for Joe Arpaio. After President Donald Trump's statement at the Phoenix rally, a rights group wrote on Twitter: " prides Donald Trump should not forgive Joe Arpaio", along with a photo that read: "No, President Donald Trump. Joe Arpaio is not just doing his job. He is violating the constitution and discriminating against people of Latin origin."
Joe Arpaio, who calls himself "the most harsh police chief in the United States", has been a supporter of Donald Trump since a very early age, but what makes him widely known is his views on illegal immigration.
In addition, according to Sputnik, the 83-year-old former lawyer is notorious for forcing prisoners to wear pink underwear and forcing them to live in tents in the desert in Arizona where temperatures reach over 40 degrees Celsius.
In a statement on August 25, the White House said: "During his time as a police chief, Joe Arpaio has worked tirelessly to protect people from criminals and illegal immigrants. Police Chief Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old and after more than 50 years of serving the country, he deserves to receive the president's pardon."
