John McCain Rips Trump For Pardoning Joe Arpaio

Sam Levine

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) harshly criticized President Donald Trump for pardoning Joe Arpaio, the former Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff who was found guilty of criminal contempt after illegally targeting Latinos.

Trump’s pardon Friday of Arpaio, who was found to have “willfully violated” a 2011 court order barring him from detaining individuals based solely on suspicion about their legal status, was the first of his presidency.

McCain issued a statement after Trump’s announcement, saying it undermined the president’s professed respect for the rule of law.

“No one is above the law and the individuals entrusted with the privilege of being sworn law officers should always seek to be beyond reproach in their commitment to fairly enforcing the laws they swore to uphold,” McCain said in the statement. “Mr. Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt for continuing to illegally profile Latinos living in Arizona based on their perceived immigration status in violation of a judge’s orders. The President has the authority to make this pardon, but doing so at this time undermines his claim for the respect of rule of law as Mr. Arpaio has shown no remorse for his actions.”

Arpaio supported Trump during the presidential campaign last year and both men have promoted the lie that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. The White House defended the pardon by saying the 85-year-old Arpaio had history working in law enforcement.

McCain cast the decisive vote last month to block a Republican effort in the Senate to try and repeal the Affordable Care Act, dealing a devastating defeat to Trump and his own party. In 2015, Trump suggested McCain, who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, wasn’t really a war hero.

Related Coverage

Trump Pardons Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Who Illegally Targeted Latinos

Also on HuffPost

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher spoke out onstage as host of the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 29, 2017. His remarks came&nbsp;just two days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order&nbsp;barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States for three months.<br /><br />"Everyone in airports that belong in my America! You are part of the fabric of who we are, and we we love you and we welcome you."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus during the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards&nbsp;spoke out about how she was&nbsp;"horrified" by the immigrant ban, being the child of an immigrant herself.<br /><br />"I am American patriot. I love this country and because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes. And this immigrant ban is a blemish and it is un-American."

Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano took to Twitter to support her friends. <br /><br />"My best friend Alaa Mohammad Khaled is Muslim His parents were Palestinian refugees His brother is DJ Khaled RefugeesWelcome"
Alyssa Milano took to Twitter to support her friends.

"My best friend Alaa Mohammad Khaled is Muslim His parents were Palestinian refugees His brother is DJ Khaled RefugeesWelcome"

Taylor Schilling

Taylor Schilling with the cast of "Orange is the New Black" during the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.<br /><br />"We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here, We know that it's going to be up to us and all of you to keep telling stories. What united us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us."

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington wears a safety pin during the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.<br /><br />"I&rsquo;ll be wearing one of these tonight. On my arm. To show solidarity. We will not stop fighting for our safety &amp; the safety of our fellow citizens and human beings.&nbsp;Actors are activists, no matter what, because we embody the worth and humanity of all people."

George Takei

George Takei posted on Twitter, sharing an article that made people think about the immigration ban. He wrote, "I hope we're all paying attention."&nbsp;
George Takei posted on Twitter, sharing an article that made people think about the immigration ban. He wrote, "I hope we're all paying attention." 

Dev Patel

Dev Patel stopped on the red carpet to speak out during the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.<br /><br />"I've just flown in from India and&nbsp;to fly into what was a nightmare, to realize that this is actually happening right now in the world, in a country where I live, it's heartbreaking. The first thought that came in my head was just thousands of children and mothers and young fathers that have turned up to these shores with hope, and they're being swatted away. It's just so divisive and negative and wrong. It's scary, it's really scary."

Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen&nbsp;took to Twitter sharing where a protest was being held.&nbsp;
Seth Rogen took to Twitter sharing where a protest was being held. 

Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush took to Twitter in support of human rights.&nbsp;<br /><br />She later tweeted,&nbsp;&ldquo;Bravo to the courts. At least some folks in charge adhere to the Constitution. #NoHate #NoFear #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere.&rdquo;
Sophia Bush took to Twitter in support of human rights. 

She later tweeted, “Bravo to the courts. At least some folks in charge adhere to the Constitution. #NoHate #NoFear #RefugeesAreWelcomeHere.”

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson addressed the ban during the&nbsp;23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.<br /><br />&ldquo;I would like to make plea for everyone, if they can, any money they have to spare please donate to the ACLU to protect the rights and liberties of people across this country.&rdquo;
Sarah Paulson addressed the ban during the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“I would like to make plea for everyone, if they can, any money they have to spare please donate to the ACLU to protect the rights and liberties of people across this country.”

David Harbour

David Harbour addresses the ban while accepting an award for&nbsp;"Stranger Things" during the SAG Awards.<br /><br />"Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of 'Stranger Things,' we 1983 Midwesterners&nbsp;will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no home. We will get past the lies, we will hunt monsters. And when we are at a loss amidst the hypocrisy and the casual violence of certain individuals and institutions. We will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak, the disenfranchised and the marginalized!"

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo shared on social media what he really thought about the immigration ban.&nbsp;
Mark Ruffalo shared on social media what he really thought about the immigration ban. 

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali during the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.<br /><br />"When we get caught up in the minutiae and the details that make us all different, I think there's two ways of seeing that. There's the opportunity to see the texture of that person, the characteristics that make them unique, and then there's an opportunity to go to war about it and say that this person is different from me, I don't like you, let's battle."

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus shared a multicolored image about standing alongside immigrants in the United States.
Miley Cyrus shared a multicolored image about standing alongside immigrants in the United States.

Michael Moore

Michael Moore took to Twitter in outrage.<br /><br />"To our Muslim neighbors in the world: I &amp; tens of millions of others are so very sorry. The majority of Americans did not vote 4 this man."
Michael Moore took to Twitter in outrage.

"To our Muslim neighbors in the world: I & tens of millions of others are so very sorry. The majority of Americans did not vote 4 this man."

Emma Stone

Emma Stone also addressed the ban during&nbsp;the SAG Awards.<br /><br />&ldquo;We have to speak up. Staying silent only helps the oppressor, not the victim. Right now I hope that people seeing things that are being done that are unconstitutional and inhumane would say something."
Emma Stone also addressed the ban during the SAG Awards.

“We have to speak up. Staying silent only helps the oppressor, not the victim. Right now I hope that people seeing things that are being done that are unconstitutional and inhumane would say something."

Lily Allen

Singer Lily Allen took to social media to express her opinion about the immigration ban, calling it "a heinous act."
Singer Lily Allen took to social media to express her opinion about the immigration ban, calling it "a heinous act."

Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne

Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne brought a sign to the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Simon Helberg and Jocelyn Towne brought a sign to the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Mira Sorvino

In February 2017, an appeals court decided against Donald Trump's proposed travel ban.<br /><br />Actress Mira Sorvino tweeted after court ruling, saying,&nbsp;&ldquo;Thank God!!And TY to all the judges, and lawyers and citizens who protested! This is our America! #nomuslimban #lovenothatemakesamericagreat.&rdquo;
In February 2017, an appeals court decided against Donald Trump's proposed travel ban.

Actress Mira Sorvino tweeted after court ruling, saying, “Thank God!!And TY to all the judges, and lawyers and citizens who protested! This is our America! #nomuslimban #lovenothatemakesamericagreat.”

Albert Brooks

After the appeals court ruling, Albert Brooks tweeted: &ldquo;Looks like the appeals court is not getting that Ivanka Trump gift basket.&rdquo;
After the appeals court ruling, Albert Brooks tweeted: “Looks like the appeals court is not getting that Ivanka Trump gift basket.”

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is seen backstage at&nbsp;the SAG Awards.<br /><br />&ldquo;I think we as Americans better learn to unite, We need to put our elected officials&rsquo; feet to the fire and demand that they work together or they won&rsquo;t get back into office."
Denzel Washington is seen backstage at the SAG Awards.

“I think we as Americans better learn to unite, We need to put our elected officials’ feet to the fire and demand that they work together or they won’t get back into office."

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner took to Twitter after the Immigration Ban became public.&nbsp;
Rob Reiner took to Twitter after the Immigration Ban became public. 

Kumail Nanjiani

"Silicon Valley's" Kumail Nanjiani tweeted:&nbsp;"As someone who was born in Pakistan I can tell you coming into America is VERY difficult. A #Muslimban accomplishes nothing but hate."
"Silicon Valley's" Kumail Nanjiani tweeted: "As someone who was born in Pakistan I can tell you coming into America is VERY difficult. A #Muslimban accomplishes nothing but hate."

Emmy Rossum

Emmy Rossum shared on Twitter, "Refugees are FLEEING TERROR. They are not terrorists. #muslimban."
Emmy Rossum shared on Twitter, "Refugees are FLEEING TERROR. They are not terrorists. #muslimban."

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.