Letter to editor: Joe Arpaio is not a ‘champion of the rule of law’ by a longshot

Albert H. Maldonado, SalinasPublished 3:25 p.m. PT Sept. 12, 2018 | Updated 3:25 p.m. PT Sept. 12, 2018Buy Photo

(Photo: Argus Leader)

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Joe Arpaio is a federally convicted criminal. US District Judge Susan Ritchie Bolton in Arizona found him guilty of criminal contempt. Arpaio continued to make arrests based on skin color and on Hispanic surnames, defying Judge Bolton’s Order.

President Trump granted Arpaio a pardon just before sentencing.

Judge Bolton did not remove Arpaio’s judgment of conviction. Bolton wrote on October 19, 2017, “It [pardon] releases the wrongdoer from punishment and restores the offender’s civil rights…It does not erase a judgment of conviction, or its underlying legal and factual findings.”

The pardon “does not revise the historical facts.” A pardon does not expunge Arpaio’s federal conviction

After the pardon, Vice President Mike Pence said Arpaio is, “A tireless champion of strong borders and the rule of law.” The Monterey Peninsula Republican Women Federated has praised Arpaio as a champion of law enforcement and public service.

The Republican Women Federated is entitled to freedom of speech and freedom of association by inviting Arpaio to Carmel. It is not entitled to claim ownership of the truth. A corrupt White House has pardoned Arpaio. A local Republican outfit has given Arpaio a platform for his racist views.

— Albert H. Maldonado, Salinas