Merged Trump Pardons Arpaio

Yes, it's a current event - but I started a thread where it belongs - in US Politics. It's a US Political Story more than anything.

Mods should merge them - in whichever of the two forums is deemed more fitting.
 
On the scale of questionable presidential pardons this one is pretty low

I have less than -0- appreciation for Sheriff Joe, knowing folks that live in his jurisdiction and officers that have served or are serving in his agency, but I've got to agree.

More than questionable Governator pardon:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cal...utes-prison-sentence-of-fabian-nunez-son.html

In his final night before leaving office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted the prison sentence of the son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez who had pleaded guilty to taking part in the slaying of a college student.

Schwarzenegger announced the move in a batch of eleventh-hour press releases e-mailed to reporters. He also announced he was granting several other commutations and pardons and giving plum government appointments to political allies and the spouse of his chief of staff.

Esteban Nuñez, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the October 2008 stabbing death of college student Luis Dos Santos near San Diego State, had his prison term commuted to seven years by the governor. In a statement, the governor noted that Nuñez, though involved in the fight, did not inflict the fatal knife wound to Santos' chest. He cites a finding by the court that it was a friend of Nuñez who stabbed Santos through the chest, "severing his heart."

"I do not discount the gravity of the offense," Schwarzenegger's statement said. "But given Nuñez's limited role in Santos' death, and considering that … Nuñez had no criminal record prior to this offense, I believe Nuñez's sentence is excessive."
 
The message is clear: Latinos and Blacks have no place in Trump's America. No doubt a FInal solution to the problem is in the works.
And to do this while a Category 4 Hurricane is bearing down on Texas.
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Wow.

"The tree of liberty..."
 
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I think the problem lies more with the signal this particular pardon sends, given this particular offender and this particular moment in time.

Also, maybe it's just me, but I do see abuse of the powers of office to treat other human beings like animals (in some cases contributing to their deaths) as more concerning than a single murder, even without the implications on our already contentious national discourse.
 
The message is clear: Latinos and Blacks have no place in Trump's America. No doubt a FInal solution to the problem is in the works.
...snip...
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Removed breach of rule 1

Poe or hyperbole?
 
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Also, maybe it's just me, but I do see abuse of the powers of office to treat other human beings like animals (in some cases contributing to their deaths) as more concerning than a single murder, even without the implications on our already contentious national discourse.
It's not just you. The message here is pretty clear: "I don't care if police actions are constitutional or not, and I don't care if police officers act in accordance with court orders or not." It's a chilling message to anyone who gives a **** about our system of government and our civil rights.
 
I'm unsurprised. It could be as satisfying as the narrative that it's Trump's racism, but it's more likely that it's his base and that he doesn't feel that he should have been indicted. That said, pardons are usually end of term things, so I don't think even other Republicans will approve. Let's find out!

And Flake is neutral-waffling, and his challenger approves. Offf course.
 
I don't know how anyone can be the least bit surprised about this. I'm not even disgusted. Trump has the power to do it and even though I loathe Arpaio I didn't experience any glee at seeing him disgraced. He's 80, it's a misdemeanor and this move was absolutely to be expected.

It's enough for me that he lost an election.
 
I'm unsurprised. It could be as satisfying as the narrative that it's Trump's racism, but it's more likely that it's his base and that he doesn't feel that he should have been indicted.
I don't think this move was calculated to please anyone but Trump. As far as I can tell Trump genuinely admires Arpaio as a great American patriot (who won't upstage Trump).

That said, pardons are usually end of term things, so I don't think even other Republicans will approve. Let's find out!
I doubt there will be much response. McCain won't be pleased but he has other priorities. If a pardon was coming it might as well come now rather than waste money fighting in court for 3 more years.

Arpaio is not a danger to anyone now.

Both the New Yorker and the Economist have Trump covers referencing the KKK.
 
Arpaio: Stop anybody who looks Mexican, even if they didn't do anything. They might be illegal.
Judge: Don't do that!
Arpaio: Keep doing that!
Judge: You're guilty of contempt.

That's pretty much they way it went, right?

Trump: That's okay.
 
McCain already tweeted his objections. Trump really sets a tone by using Sheriff Joe for his very first pardon.
 

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