Pardon controversy: Trump asked attorney general about dropping case against ex-sheriff Arpaio

In an extraordinary exercise of presidential power, Trump bypassed the traditional review process to ensure that ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of contempt of court, would face no time in prison

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Joe Arpaio is a divisive figure who was once dubbed ‘America’s toughest sheriff’. File photo: EPA

Published: 3:05pm, 27 Aug 2017Updated: 10:36pm, 27 Aug 2017

Donald Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions about dropping a criminal case against controversial ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, a close ally of the Republican president who has since received a pardon.

Trump was advised that closing the criminal contempt case against Arpaio, who was convicted for ignoring a court order to stop detaining illegal migrants, would be inappropriate, the Washington Post reported, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the conversation.

The president decided to let the case go ahead, but said he would pardon Arpaio if necessary - one source said Trump was “gung-ho” about the idea, the Post said.

Trump has received pushback on the pardon by members of his own party - most recently from the highest ranking Republican in Congress, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

“The speaker does not agree with this decision,” Ryan spokesman Doug Andres said in a statement late Saturday.

Donald Trump and Joe Arpaio at a campaign rally in 2016. File photo: Reuters