The backlash against Donald Trump’s decision to pardon a controversial sheriff intensified yesterday after it emerged that his own attorney general advised against the move and as senior Republicans lined up to condemn what they called an attack on the rule of law.

On Friday, as Hurricane Harvey barrelled in towards Texas, Mr Trump announced he was pardoning Joseph Arpaio, a political ally facing jail time for refusing to obey court orders to end police patrols focusing on Latinos in Arizona.

The White House had signalled Mr Trump’s intention in advance but no-one expected the contentious decision to be made so rapidly – before Arpaio had even been sentenced. The decision brought immediate condemnation from opponents and from members of his own Republican party.

At the weekend, the Washington Post reported that the president asked Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, in spring whether it would be possible to for the government to drop the case against Arpaio.