More than 30 House Democrats have filed an amicus brief asking a federal judge to reject President Donald Trump’s pardon of controversial former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Trump announced he would pardon Arpaio of his criminal contempt of court conviction for racially profiling against Latinos while serving as county sheriff in Maricopa County in Arizona. Arpaio was an early Trump supporter and the President said he was treated “unbelievably unfairly.”
But House Democrats think his pardon is unconstitutional and intrudes on the judicial branch, Politico reported.
“A full and unconditional presidential pardon….effectively deprives the Court of ‘the independent means of self-protection,’ and makes the Court dependent on the Executive,” the House members wrote. “The pardon here is an intentional usurpation of the Court’s authority by the President. President Trump does not pretend that his pardon of the Defendant is based upon the considerations of grace that usually justify the exercise of the pardon power.”
Arpaio was found guilty of contempt of court in July and Trump pardoned the former sheriff on Aug. 25.
The brief does have the benefit of being true. But, a lot of truths about Trump - his motives, his intentions, his lack of intelligence and competence - don’t seem to matter in a system that has as protections against him, things the Republicans just will not do.
This is a long reach. On the other hand, the argument that a pardon for a crime involving violation of a court’s order goes to the heart of the judicial system, and the separation of powers.
And, Arizona is in the 9th Circuit, much hated by so-called conservatives.
This one could go all the way to the Supreme Court.
Pardoning Arpaio, denigrating AA NFL players, telling PR to go to hell, calling Mexicans rapists, dismantling minority voting rights…have I time-warped back to the 1800s?
This would be cool. Hopefully we can de-legitimize Donald’s presidency and reverse all the dumb shit he’s done and will do.
Whatever happens here, Sheriff Joe’s legacy lives on in the Maricopa Cty. Sheriff’s Office.