Joe Arpaio opponents express outrage, disbelief over presidential pardon of ex-sheriff

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's opponents, including many in the Latino community, expressed outrage Friday evening, following the President Donald Trump's late-day pardon of his friend and political supporter.

"It really shows he (Trump) has no concept of what racism is and how a community can be affected by it. For him to have done this is a travesty of justice. It puts him above the law, which no one should be," said former Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox

Wilcox is a former Arpaio ally who later became a bitter enemy. In June 2014, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released a decision that awarded a $975,000 settlement to Wilcox from a lawsuit she brought against county officials, including Arpaio, tied to the sheriff's failed corruption investigations.

SEE ALSO:Joe Arpaio's Republican supporters celebrate his pardon 

What others said: 

"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.” — U.S. Sen. John McCain

"What Donald Trump did today was not just pardon Arpaio, but tie himself to the history of white supremacy ... We will use this anger to take out Donald Trump in the same way we took out Arpaio." — Carlos Garcia, executive director of Puente 

"The community won in court. If there was ever any doubt that president Trump is a racist, with this pardon he clears up any doubt. He stands with racists, white supremacists and the violation of civil rights." — Latino activist Lydia Guzman

"He certainly has the legal right to do it as the president, but I think it demonstrates incredibly poor judgment both politically and morally. It's likely that the president is returning what he feels was a favor from Joe Arpaio in the presidential election, when in fact any honest analysis of last November's election shows that Trump would've done better in Arizona without the Arpaio endorsement."  — Former Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek, who won a $123,000 legal settlement for attorney's fees after being targeted by Arpaio

"Pardoning Joe Arpaio is a slap in the face to the people of Maricopa County, especially the Latino community and those he victimized as he systematically and illegally violated their civil rights. Sheriff Joe Arpaio targeted and terrorized Latino families because of the color of their skin. He was ordered by a federal judge to stop and he refused. He received a fair trial and a justifiable conviction, and there’s nothing the President can do to change that awful legacy and the stain he has left on our community. This is not a proud day for Phoenix." — Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

“By pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Donald Trump has blessed his racist and unconstitutional police practices. This is unconscionable and unworthy of the White House. Donald Trump is a coward for releasing this news on a Friday when the nation's attention is rightly focused on Hurricane Harvey and the people who are in its path.”     — U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.

“As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the value of public trust and accountability. Joe Arpaio betrayed that trust and violated our laws. He should be held accountable, not given a free pass by the president.” — U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz.

“I think this is an unconstitutional pardon. If you think you can pardon people in contempt of the other branches of government, you frustrate the separation of powers.” — Larry Hammond, Valley defense attorney and former Watergate prosecutor.

"Today’s announcement from President Trump is yet another display of disrespect to the Latino community in Arizona. During Joe Arpaio’s 24 years as the sheriff in Maricopa County, he abused his position of authority to drive a personal agenda that promoted racism."  — The 17-member Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus.

"Sheriff Joe Arpaio is unquestionably the Bull Connor of this century. By pardoning him, President Trump has proven, again, he has no regard for people of color and is willing to endorse egregious policies that grossly violate human rights and the conscience of America."  — Clara Long, senior researcher, US Program, Human Rights Watch

"Today’s decision by Donald Trump to pardon Joe Arpaio is an insult to the rule of law and to all those who put their faith and trust into the legal
process. Arizonans have spoken loudly and consistently that they want to move on from the polarizing and divisive politics of Arpaio and Trump. — David Garcia, Democratic candidate for Governor

“For years, Joe Arpaio tormented our community, broke up our families, all while he abused his power. As Arizonans sought justice through our courts, many saw light from the years of abuse and hate, yet with a stroke of the pen, Donald Trump validated racism, bigotry, and corruption. Let’s be clear, Joe Arpaio didn’t earn this pardon, this was Donald Trump repaying a political favor, and this is disgraceful. Sadly, President Trump's pardon tells us that there is no equal justice under the law. Our country should fear that this the first of many reprehensible pardons for the bad guys." — Arizona Democratic Party

"I'm outraged that an elected official who has broken the law, who has violated the rights of so many Latinos in Maricopa County, is now not going to be held accountable. He has cost us taxpayers nearly $92 million as of next year and he's not going to be held accountable? It's a slap in the face not only to Latinos, but the rule of law. That this sheriff purposefully ignored a court order, and people in Maricopa county will continue to pay for his illegal actions, Republicans, Democrats, and independence should be outraged." — Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo

"The court made its decision, the President made his, but the people had the final say in November. We are dedicated to earning trust and confidence from the community while ensuring the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office delivers exceptional law enforcement services." — Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, who defeated Arpaio last fall.

"Time and again, immigrants have demonstrated that they are the backbone of agriculture and many other industries. The president should not be pardoning someone who has been so vicious towards immigrants and who has openly flouted a federal judge’s order to stop his racial discrimination.” — United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez

"The justice system deemed Sheriff Arpaio guilty of contempt and he should face the consequences of his actions like any other person. This action represents more than a pardon, it is a direct attack on all of those in our community who were outraged by Arpaio's administration, especially those who make up our immigrant community."        — Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell

"Trump's pardon of Arpaio is a pardon of racism in America. Arpaio may have escaped sentencing, but he and Trump will not escape the judgment of the good and moral among us who still makeup a majority of the American people."  — Arizona playwright and activist James E. Garcia

“That doesn’t mean it’s right. That doesn’t mean we forget that there are children in our community who really missed their childhood because he terrorized Latino families.”       — Raquel Teran, a longtime community activist and organizer based in Phoenix

“Our community deserves better ... They fought hard getting out the vote to oust Joe Arpaio with their own resources. And again, this community demanded justice in the courts with their own money when Arpaio defended himself with public money. Arpaio was found guilty, and now the leader of this country gave him a free pass.” — Petra Falcon, executive director of immigrant-advocacy non-profit Promise Arizona

“I think the timing of it is pathetic...He was here in front of a Phoenix audience Tuesday; he could have done this then if he thought it was defensible ... Donald Trump is a coward." — State Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale

Contributing: Maria Polletta, Daniel Gonzalez, Mary Jo Pitzl, Laura Gomez-Rodriguez, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Ron Hansen, Dianna Nanez, Rebekah Sanders, Ginger Rough, Dan Nowicki.