President Donald Trump – who has already hinted he is ready to pardon controversial ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio – will do so "at the appropriate time," according to his press secretary.
"I think that he'll continue to make his plans clear when he's ready and at the appropriate time, and we'll certainly keep you guys posted on that," Sarah Huckabee Sanders said aboard Air Force One, The Hill reported.
The update followed Trump's rally comments Tuesday night in Phoenix, Arizona, about the former Maricopa County sheriff, who has been charged with criminal contempt for defying a court order to stop rounding up people he and his deputies suspected of being illegal immigrants.
"By the way, I'm just curious. Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe?" Trump asked rally attendees, who applauded. "So, was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? That's why . . . He should have had a jury, but you know what? I'll make a prediction. I think he's going to be just fine, OK?
"But, but, I won't do it tonight, because I don't want to cause any controversy. Is that OK? All right?
"But Sheriff Joe can feel good."
Arpaio is set to be sentenced in October and could serve up to six months in jail.
Arpaio served 24 years as the sheriff of Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, before he was unseated last year by current Sheriff Paul Penzone, a Democrat.
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