It’s no longer a matter of “if” President Trump will pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. It’s simply a matter of when.

The White House staff apparently has everything prepared. Trump just has to issue the order.

Which means it will happen the next time Trump needs to change the subject of our daily national discussion.

Arpaio will get his pardon the next time Trump does something or says something that is causing him real trouble; the next time there is an ugly revelation about Trump or someone in his administration; the next round of damaging leaks to come out the White House; the next tidbit of damaging information or disclosure from within the special counsel’s Russia probe.

(In other words -- soon.)

Trump believes in loyalty more than the rule of law, so there was never any doubt that he was going to look after the first nationally known politician to endorse his campaign.

"I'll make a prediction," Trump said Tuesday of Arpaio. "I think he's going to be just fine."

Where loyalty trumps the rule of law

Trump said the sheriff was put on trial and convicted for doing his job.

No.

Arpaio was put on trial and convicted for purposefully violating a lawful court order from a federal judge.

That is a crime.

Pure and simple.

In Trump's world the rule of law occupies a place in line well behind loyalty, and even farther behind self-interest.

Ego, vanity and narcissism come first.

So Trump will use Arpaio as a diversion.

He knows that the moment he issues a pardon for the sheriff the subject of our daily national discussion changes.

What that means, essentially, is that the next very bad day for Donald Trump could be a very good day for Joe Arpaio.

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