President Donald Trump has pardoned Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, as he implied he would during a rally on Tuesday, according to a White House statement released Friday evening.

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Arpaio was convicted of a criminal charge at the end of last month for refusing to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants, marking a final rebuke for a politician who once drew strong popularity from such crackdowns but was ultimately booted from office as voters became frustrated over his headline-grabbing tactics and deepening legal troubles.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democratic congressman from Texas, cried foul after the pardon was announced.

A short time later, Arpaio thanked the president on Twitter for the pardon and blamed his conviction on "holdovers in the Obama justice department."

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC