Posted on 08/26/2017 5:50:39 PM PDT by BradtotheBone
House Speaker Paul Ryan on Saturday criticized President Donald Trump for pardoning a former Arizona sheriff, Joe Arpaio, becoming the highest-ranking Republican to object to the move.
“The speaker does not agree with the decision,” said Ryan spokesman Doug Andres. “Law-enforcement officials have a special responsibility to respect the rights of everyone in the United States. We should not allow anyone to believe that responsibility is diminished by this pardon.”
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Mr. Ryan’s statement.
On Friday, the White House announced that the president had pardoned Mr. Arpaio, known as an immigration hard-liner who had been sheriff of Maricopa County for 24 years before he lost a re-election bid last year.
Mr. Arpaio, an early supporter of Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign, was convicted last month for disobeying a 2011 federal court order to halt immigration raids. He was to be sentenced in October and faced up to six months in jail.
As sheriff he took aggressive measures to curb illegal immigration, including hunting people who crossed the border illegally in remote parts of his county, launching workplace raids and conducting traffic stops.
In a tweet Friday, the president described Mr. Arpaio as a “patriot” who “kept Arizona safe.”
A statement from the White House Friday said:
“Throughout his time as sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our nation, he is a worthy candidate for a presidential pardon.”
Mr. Arpaio didn’t respond to a request for comment, but in several tweets after the pardon he thanked the president and his supporters, while also asking for donations to his legal fund.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
and?...so??
Snipers gotta’ snipe.....
It’s going to be fun night on primary nights.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Alabama...
Ratface Ryan is truly detestable at every turn. An utter quisling.
If he is not primaried, it would be worth voting Dem just to destroy his political career and backstabbing in the House.
Paul Ryan smells like vaseline
The Sheriff was just doing his job.
This girly-boy Ryan is a POS.
“This girly-boy Ryan is a POS.”
Dung is not as bad as Ratface.
Well, he is the leader of the opposition party.
I don’t recall any criticisms of either Clinton or Obama decisions to whom to pardon.
D ick with ears...
Does this goofdick assclown ever say anything in support of President Trump?
I cannot stand Ryan, Mitch, McCain, or anyone even close to the GOPe.
He’s signalling to the left: go ahead and take out the top two; I’ll be much more agreeable to you as president.
I don’t recall any criticisms of either Clinton or Obama decisions to whom to pardon.
I should have added by Democrats in the House or Senate.
I thought it unprofessional - whether he agreed or disagreed. He should have said, “Pardons are the President’s prerogative following certain guidelines.”
Ryan should focus on the business of Congress since that is where his opinion is relevant.
Everyone remember when the (supposedly) illegal alien woman stood up at one of Ryano’s town halls, asking if Ryano wanted her deported, and he answered “no”?
Think about that, and contrast that with the fact that he has not spoken out against against the prosecution/conviction of David Olafson (sp?), a (legal, American) citizen of Wisconsin, who was falsely convicted and jailed for illegal conversion of his AR-15 to full auto.
No response is a response. Trump doesn't need to justify his action to the Speaker. See: Article II.
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