USA TODAY

Letter to the editor:

It’s no secret that former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, the so-called America’s toughest sheriff, has blatantly disregarded the Equal Protection Clause, a part of Fourteenth Amendment, that took effect in 1868 and provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction “the equal protection of the laws.”

Sadly, Arpaio as a sheriff flouted this sacrosanct clause by using high-handed tactics in enforcing law by illegally and systematically discriminating against Latinos and other minorities, and disregarded the court orders. In fact, Arpaio was convicted of contempt of court. And in this case, the offense went beyond the realm of presidential pardon — morally if not legally. This sends a wrong message to law enforcement across the nation.

Disregarding court orders is an insult to the rule of law, the bedrock of our judiciary system and the supreme guardian of our democracy. I’m afraid this unprecedented pardon may be construed as an open license to act more as vigilantes than enforcers of law and order. The nation’s law enforcement machinery will assume immunity and act with impunity by trampling the rule of law condoned and pardoned by the president. This is the ultimate nightmare feared by the minorities who having lost trust, may now be bracing for worse to come.

Atul Karnik; Woodside, N.Y.

Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Joe Arpaio was accused of a lot of things. That’s what happens when you enforce the law under an administration that demands law enforcement do the opposite.

But in the end, the only “crime” Arpaio was convicted for was failure to obey a court order. Not racial profiling. Not violating people’s civil rights. Not anything but failure to obey a court order.

— Bill Wilson

Regardless of how you feel about President Trump and this ex-sheriff, law enforcement officers must obey the orders of the court. Our legal system works only when everyone understands his role and respects the role of others. A sheriff ignoring a court order is not acceptable under any circumstances. Our legal system and entire government work only if we respect what is written on paper, our Constitution, laws, court orders, among others.

— Scott Simpson

When a high percentage of undocumented immigrants in Arizona are Mexicans, how would liberals prefer the roundup of criminals without racial profiling? Trump is right, Arpaio is an American patriot.

— Robert Bruner

More:Joe Arpaio didn't deserve a pardon

More:Sheriff Joe Arpaio is no conservative and no hero, no matter what President Trump says

Our followers shared their thoughts on President Trump pardoning Joe Arpaio. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

Is this really “Making America Great Again”? Are these American values? Letting some one like Arpaio get away with it?

— @tbone_usa

Arpaio will now run for governor and get elected. That’s how the machine works.

— @joeydog410

Don’t American citizens deserve protection against criminals?

— @arizdare1

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