Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Current Administration's Decision to Pardon Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio

"Last Friday night, in another shameful yet unsurprising decision, the White House decided to grant a presidential pardon to convicted former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. 

At a time when the White House should have been focusing on providing a disciplined response to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, they deemed it more important to pardon Joe Arpaio who, let us not forget, was convicted of criminal contempt for violating a federal judge's order to stop racially profiling Latinos.

This is further proof of this administration's contempt to its duty to equally protect minority communities, especially our Latino and immigrant communities. In fact, it shows this administration's true colors as they are willing to protect and embolden a racist and bigoted political ally, instead of upholding the rule of law."