WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday pardoned former sheriff Joe Arpaio, the retired Arizona lawman who was convicted for intentionally disobeying a judge’s order in an immigration case.

The White House said the 85-year-old ex-sheriff of Arizona’s Maricopa County was a “worthy candidate” for a presidential pardon.

The action came several days after Trump, at a rally in downtown Phoenix, strongly hinted that he intended to issue a pardon.

Trump later tweeted that he was “pleased to inform you that I have just granted a full Pardon to 85 year old American patriot Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He kept Arizona safe!”

“So was Sheriff Joe was convicted for doing his job?” Trump asked supporters. “I’ll make a prediction. I think he’s going to be just fine, OK.”

Arpaio, who became linked to Trump during the campaign for their hardline immigration views, was convicted of a misdemeanor for intentionally defying a judge’s order to stop his traffic patrols that targeted immigrants.

Both politicians questioned the authenticity of then-President Barack Obama’s birth certificate and have a similar history in sparring with judges.

In the statement Friday night, the White House said, “Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon.”

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton says the presidential pardon of the metro area’s former sheriff “is a slap in the face to the people of Maricopa County.”

He says it’s especially a slap in the face of the Latino community and those ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio “victimized as he systematically and illegally violated their civil rights.”

In a statement, Stanton says Arpaio received “a fair trial and a justifiable conviction” and there’s nothing President Donald Trump can do “to change that awful legacy and the stain he has left on our community.”

Stanton says it’s not a proud day for Phoenix and “the city is moving on and moving forward from the divisiveness that defined the Arpaio era.”

The Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus says President Donald Trump’s pardon of former Phoenix metro sheriff Joe Arpaio “is yet another display of disrespect to the Latino community in Arizona.”

In a statement, caucus members say Arapio abused his position of authority during his 24 years as Maricopa County’s sheriff “to drive a personal agenda that promoted racism.”

They add that “no amount of time will erase Arpaio’s hateful harassment and the fear he instilled in our community, and no one should be above the law.”

Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo calls the presidential pardon of former sheriff Joe Arpaio “a travesty” and says the board has to look at ways of recouping taxpayer money, likely through lawsuits.

Arapio’s criminal case sprang from the profiling lawsuit that ultimately discredited Arpaio’s immigration patrols and is expected to cost taxpayers $92 million by next summer.

Gallardo, a longtime Arpaio critic, says county taxpayers continue to foot the bill for the former sheriff’s illegal behavior.

He says Arpaio should not be allowed to walk away from his civil liability and he should reimburse county taxpayers.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Arizona congressman Andy Biggs are supporting the presidential pardon of former metro Phoenix sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Ducey says Arpaio “deserves credit for helping to reduce crime in Maricopa County over his long career in law enforcement and public office.”

He says Trump’s pardon “has brought finality to this chapter in Arizona’s history.”

Ducey adds that Arpaio is his friend and now the 85-year-old ex-lawman can move on and enjoy his retirement with his wife and family.

Biggs says he applauds Trump for pardoning Arpaio and adds that “America owes Sheriff Arpaio a debt of gratitude and not the injustice of a political witch hunt.”

U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona is voicing his displeasure at President Donald Trump’s pardon of the former Phoenix metro area sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of a misdemeanor contempt-of-court charge for defying a judge’s orders that he stop conducting immigration patrols.

Arapio was facing the prospect of jail time at his sentencing in October.

McCain says in a statement that “no one is above the law” and “sworn law officers should always seek to be beyond reproach in their commitment to fairly enforcing the laws they swore to uphold.”

By pardoning Arpaio, McCain says it undermines Trump’s claim for the respect of rule of law.

He also says Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions.