Former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio publicly thanked President Trump on Friday for pardoning him while taking the opportunity to raise money for his legal fund.
“Thanks @realdonaldtrump for seeing my conviction for what it is: a political witch hunt by holdovers in the Obama justice department!” Arpaio wrote in a tweet.
{mosads}
“I am humbled and incredibly grateful to President Trump. I look fwd to putting this chapter behind me and helping to #MAGA,” he continued.
“I also thank my loyal supporters, who stood shoulder to shoulder w/ me in this fight, and throughout my career.”
Arpaio then went on to solicit money for his legal fund, and provided a link for donations.
Arpaio’s tweets come after the White House announced the president pardoned the controversial former sheriff.
The sheriff was convicted of criminal contempt last month for disobeying an order to stop detaining individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Arpaio had been found guilty in a Justice Department investigation of racially profiling Latinos.
“Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration,” the White House said in a statement Friday.
“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon,” the statement continued.