Trump thanks to Arizona's convicted ex-Serif

The former chairman of Arizona's Maricopa district is known for its controversial disciplinary methods, such as the deployment of tents in the desert, where temperatures often reached over 37 degrees Celsius. He was indicted for mistreating persons in custody. He was accused of giving them expired food, refusing health care, and leaving them in crowded cells, where temperatures were high. Sheriff Arpaio has responded to the charges against him, that prisons were detention sites.

The pardoning of the former officer Arpaio comes less than a month after he was convicted of criminal disobedience in a court case involving the practice of racial profiling his department.

This is the first pardon for a defendant of President Trump. He had hinted at a rally earlier this week that he would forgive Arpaion, which supporters have called the Americas' worst “:

Let me say some things about Donald Trump. 12 or 13 months ago, in this building, I stood by him and supported him. And if you remember I said my instinct said he'd be the next president of the United States” Mr. Arpaio said.

In a statement late Friday, the White House said the 85-year-old former deputy was a candidate worthy of presidential forgiveness.

As the sheriff of Arizona's Marcopa district, Arpaio supported the tough measures against illegal immigration. Last month, he was convicted of ignoring a court order because he refused to comply with a 2011 order by a judge to ban traffic patrols aimed at identifying illegal immigrants.

Some of Arpaio's critics have expressed disappointment at President Trump's decision.

The American Bar Association, a national organisation of lawyers and other legal professionals, said in a statement that the president's move weakens public confidence in the American legal system. / VOA/