His pardon of ex-sheriff comes under greater scrutiny

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions about dropping a criminal case against controversial ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, a close ally of the President who has since received a pardon, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.

Mr. Trump was advised that closing the criminal contempt case against Mr. Arpaio, who was convicted for ignoring a court order to stop detaining illegal migrants, would be inappropriate, said The Post, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the conversation.

Criticism within GOP

The President decided to let the case go ahead, but said he would pardon Mr. Arpaio if necessary — one source said Mr. Trump was “gung-ho” about the idea, The Post said.

Mr. Trump has received pushback on the pardon by members of his own party — most recently from the highest ranking Republican in Congress, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

“The Speaker does not agree with this decision,” Mr. Ryan’s spokesman Doug Andres said in a statement late Saturday.

“Law enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States,” Mr. Andres said. “We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon.” Both Republican Senators from Arizona, John McCain and Jeff Flake, earlier criticised the presidential pardon.

Mr. Arpaio (85), a divisive figure who was once dubbed “America’s toughest sheriff,” was granted a presidential pardon on Friday — the first since Mr. Trump took office, and one that seemingly did not follow regular protocols.

Mr. Arpaio had been due for sentencing in October. The move ensured he would serve no time in prison.