Trump asked Sessions about closing case against Arpaio, an ally since 'birtherism'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post



By Philip Rucker and Ellen Nakashima August 26 at 6:45 PM

As Joseph Arpaio’s federal case headed toward trial this past spring, President Trump wanted to act to help the former Arizona county sheriff who had become a campaign-trail companion and a partner in their crusade against illegal immigration.

The president asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions whether it would be possible for the government to drop the criminal case against Arpaio, but was advised that would be inappropriate, according to three people with knowledge of the conversation.

After talking with Sessions, Trump decided to let the case go to trial, and if Arpaio was convicted, he could grant clemency.

So the president waited, all the while planning to issue a pardon if Arpaio was found in contempt of court for defying a federal judge’s order to stop detaining people merely because he suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. Trump was, in the words of one associate, “gung-ho about it.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-asked-sessions-about-closing-case-against-arpaio-an-ally-since-birtherism/2017/08/26/15e5d7b2-8a7f-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html

[LonePirate]

1. If he's willing to obstruct justice for Arpaio, what will he do for others who are closer to him?

[L. Coyote]

11. Asking the AG to drop a case against a political ally is the kind of thing people get impeached for.

Link to tweet

[riversedge]

2. you beat me by a nano second. I think this is revealing. Imagine asking the DOJ

about a criminal case.. whow. damn, he is stupid but Repugs do not care

Link to tweet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-asked-sessions-about-closing-case-against-arpaio-an-ally-since-birtherism/2017/08/26/15e5d7b2-8a7f-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html?utm_term=.f5e6b728a796
Sessions about closing case against Arpaio, an ally since ‘birtherism’

Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio gestures to the crowd while delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016, in Cleveland. (John Moore)




By Philip Rucker and Ellen Nakashima August 26 at 6:45 PM

As Joseph Arpaio’s federal case headed toward trial this past spring, President Trump wanted to act to help the former Arizona county sheriff who had become a campaign-trail companion and a partner in their crusade against illegal immigration.

The president asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions whether it would be possible for the government to drop the criminal case against Arpaio, but was advised that would be inappropriate, according to three people with knowledge of the conversation.

After talking with Sessions, Trump decided to let the case go to trial, and if Arpaio was convicted, he could grant clemency.

So the president waited, all the while planning to issue a pardon if Arpaio was found in contempt of court for defying a federal judge’s order to stop detaining people merely because he suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. Trump was, in the words of one associate, “gung-ho about it.”

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Seems to follow a pattern

[riversedge]

3. was his backhand way of doing what he wanted to do at the front end, said Robert Bauer,

YUP



.....................Trump’s spring inquiry about intervening in Arpaio’s case is consistent with his alleged attempts to influence the federal investigation of Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser. Trump also made separate appeals in March to Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers to publicly deny the existence of any evidence of collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.

[Trump pardons former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio]

Trump’s pardon of Arpaio “was his backhand way of doing what he wanted to do at the front end,” said Robert Bauer, a former White House counsel in the Obama administration. “He just wanted to kill the prosecution off. He couldn’t do it the one way, so he ended up doing it the other way. This is just another vivid demonstration of how far removed from an appropriate exercise of the pardon power this was.”

[C Moon]

4. He was hoping hurricane Harvey would bury this mistake.

[riversedge]

8. I am hoping that the manner in which Trump pardoned the Sheriff will amplify his misdeeds and I

think it has to some extent. So many things I did not know about the sheriff are coming to light (I knew some but certainly not many of his vile misdeeds)

[C Moon]

12. Great!

[BigmanPigman]

5. What days of the week does he like Sessions

and which are designated dislike Sessions days for the fake prez? I can't seem to keep it straight but neither can he and that is part of his strategy...create chaos and keep it continuing everywhere at all times.

[bluestarone]

6. when will

this nightmare end

[mobeau69]

9. What a piece of shit he is.

"Presidents can set law enforcement priorities, but they are expected to steer clear of involvement in specific cases to avoid the perception of politicizing the impartial administration of justice.

Trump backed off the Arpaio case after being advised it would be inappropriate, but that he even tried is “beyond the pale,” said Chiraag Bains, a former senior counsel in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Bains said he believes Trump “has a sense that the chief executive controls everything in the executive branch, including the exercise of criminal power. And that is just not the way the system is set up.”​

[spiderpig]

10. Can you imagine being a Secret Service agent and expected to take a bullet

for this cretin?

I'd quit and apply for work at the nearest McDonald's.

[riversedge]

13. I wonder if the Sec Service collects hazard pay?