Arpaio felt Trump would defy advisers, grant pardon at Phoenix rally

PHOENIX — Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday that he expected President Donald Trump to pardon him at a Phoenix rally despite advisers saying otherwise.

“Knowing the president – he has guts and courage – my gut told me he was going to do it,” the 85-year-old former lawman told Fox News host Neil Cavuto. “Of course, everybody said no, but I know the man.”

The White House had said prior to the rally that Trump would not grant a pardon during the speech.

The president alluded to the pardon during his address, saying that “I won’t (pardon Arpaio) tonight because I don’t want to cause controversy,” but that the former sheriff “should feel good.”

Arpaio told Fox he has not spoken to the president in recent months but thought Trump may surprise him. However, the lack of a pardon has not shaken Arpaio’s faith in Trump.

“I have a great deal of respect for him,” Arpaio said. “I always will – pardon or no pardon. I’m with him to the end. As long as he’s president, I’ll support him.”

The former sheriff also said he was disappointed when he was convicted of misdemeanor contempt of court in July.

“I got two parking tickets in my whole life. Think of that: two parking tickets,” he said. “I joined the Army when the Korean War broke out. Now I have to sit at a defense table as a criminal when I did nothing wrong? Come on.”

Arpaio’s attorneys said he will appeal the ruling that he defied another judge’s order and continued his controversial immigration sweeps.