While criticism of President Trump's moves could be expected from Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer (right), some Republicans such as Sen. John McCain also registered their disapproval. | Mandel Ngan/Getty Images Schumer, Ryan criticize Trump for Arpaio pardon

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized President Donald Trump's Friday pardon of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his directive to halt recruitment of transgender troops Friday — just as Hurricane Harvey was barreling towards the Texas coastline.

"As millions of people in TX and LA are prepping for the Hurricane, the President is using the cover of the storm to pardon a man who violated a court's order to stop discriminating against Latinos and Ban courageous transgender men and women from serving in our nation's Armed Forces," Schumer posted in a series of tweets.


"Then he ran to Camp David. The only reason to do these right now is to use the cover of Hurricane Harvey to avoid scrutiny. So sad, so weak."

In a separate tweet, Schumer blasted Arpaio, known for his aggressive treatment of Latinos in Arizona.

"Joe Arpaio ignored the courts of law in order to systematically target Latinos in AZ. The definition of racism and bigotry," Schumer posted.

While criticism of Trump's moves could be expected from Democrats, some Republicans also registered their disapproval.

A spokesman said House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) opposed the pardon. He was the highest-ranking Republican lawmaker to do so.

“The speaker does not agree with the decision,” Ryan spokesman Doug Andres said in a statement. “Law-enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States. We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon.”

Both GOP senators from Arizona, John McCain and Jeff Flake, also disagreed with Trump's pardon, which the president had floated publicly at a rally in their state on Tuesday.

“The President has the authority to make this pardon, but doing so at this time undermines his claim for the respect of rule of law as Mr. Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions," McCain wrote in a statement.

McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, also knocked Trump's directive to ban transgender people from joining the military. It gave Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wide latitude to determine whether already-enlisted transgender troops would be allowed to continue to serve.

"It would be a step in the wrong direction to force currently serving transgender individuals to leave the military solely on the basis of their gender identity rather than medical and readiness standards that should always be at the heart of Department of Defense personnel policy," McCain said in a statement. "The Pentagon’s ongoing study on this issue should be completed before any decisions are made with regard to accession."

Flake limited his criticism to Trump's Apraio pardon, albeit more tepidly than McCain.

"Regarding the Arpaio pardon, I would have preferred that the president honor the judicial process and let it take its course," Flake tweeted on Friday night.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, also denounced the pardon.

“The Justice Department ... found that for years Sheriff Arpaio systematically violated the civil rights of the people he was charged with serving and protecting," Feinstein said in a statement Saturday. "President Trump indicates that he approves of that behavior with last night’s decision, which will only serve to deepen the divisions in our country.”

And Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, blasted both of Trump’s Friday actions. “Ultimately, his decisions signal that Trump allies are above the law and make it clear that bigotry will be rewarded and condoned by the Trump administration,” she said in a statement Saturday.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.