Phoenix, AZ – Following President Trump’s troubling pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Jennifer Allen, League of Conservation Voters’ Arizona-based Senior Vice President of Community & Civic Engagement, released the following statement:

“President Trump’s pardon continues his pattern of morally and politically bereft decision making, which comes as no surprise from an administration unable to rebuke white supremacy while working to build a xenophobic and environmentally dangerous border wall. To give a free pass to someone like Joe Arpaio — who has a long history of corruption, violent and racist practices, and discriminatory policing — is simply sickening. This is a slap in the face to the men, women and children who suffered under Arpaio’s reign of terror and successfully organized to demand justice and accountability.

“This president is eroding our democracy and our Constitution by welcoming bigotry and racism into our judicial system and encouraging such behavior from law enforcement. We are more committed than ever to standing with communities of color and others whose fundamental rights are being undermined and attacked, negating our work toward a clean and healthy environment for all.”

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