MALDEF STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S POTENTIAL PARDON OF SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO

Los Angeles, CA – Please attribute the following statement on Donald J. Trump’s visit to Arizona, and reports that he is considering a presidential pardon of disgraced former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund): “If Donald Trump were to pardon the infamous Joe Arpaio today, it would be the most naked pander to a shrinking and dubious political ‘base’ since… well, last Tuesday. Any presidential pardon is completely premature for the following reasons: