Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe Arpaio

President Trump on Friday pardoned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio who was convicted earlier this year for contempt of court. A judge had ruled after a six-day trial that Arpaio had willfully ignored a court order to halt his immigration patrols.

The White House announced the pardon late Friday after the president had left town for Camp David.

The news was far from universally welcomed.

"Joe Arpaio illegally targeted and terrorized Latino families," Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton tweeted.

Senator John McCain, Republican from Arizona who has often found himself the target of Trump's ire, said the pardon "undermines" the president's "claim for the respect of rule of law."

After asking the crowd if people liked Arpaio, Trump assured them that the convicted sheriff "will be OK."

He continued: "I won't do it tonight, but Sheriff Joe can feel good."

Trump Gives First Presidential Pardon To Former Arizona Sheriff Arpaio

SEE ALSO: The Joe Arpaio I Knew

In an interview with Fox News last weekend, Trump said he was considering a pardon for the 85-year-old Arpaio, who was voted out of office last year.

In addition to both professing to want to crack down on immigration, Trump and Arpaio also shared an interest in spreading the lie that President Obama had not been born in the United States.

While Trump repeatedly trumpeted the claim, Arpaio said at one point that Obama's birth certificate was "definitely fraudulent."

Arpaio was scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 5. He faced six months in jail.

The statement from the White House announcing the pardon doesn't quote the president or address the conviction or numerous accusations made against Arpaio over the years.

It says that "after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon."

Arpaio tweeted out a thank you to the president.

He also said that his prosecution had been "a political witch hunt."

Photo Ralph Freso, Stringer/Getty Images News/Getty Images