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[[File:SheriffJoeArpaio-252x350.jpg|right|175px]]

[[File:SheriffJoeArpaio-252x350.jpg|right|175px]]

'''Joseph Michael Arpaio''' (born June 14, 1932) was the [[sheriff]] of Maricopa County, [[Arizona]] from 1993 to 2017.  As sheriff, he was known for being very [[conservative]], as well as tough on crime and on [[illegal immigration]]. Left-wing organizations such as the [[ACLU]], [[SPLC]], and the [[Obama Administration]] [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]],<ref name=doj>{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/justice-department-sues-sheriff-joe-arpaio-civil-rights/story?id=16321622|title=Justice Department Sues Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Civil Rights Case|date=May 10, 2012 |accessdate=Sept. 11, 2017}}</ref> among others, attacked his strong anti-illegal immigration stance. Arpaio became Sheriff of Maricopa County in 1992 and was re-elected six times. As sheriff, Arpaio headed up the law enforcement agency for the unincorporated area surrounding Phoenix, an area of 9,226 square miles.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home|title=Welcome to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

'''Joseph Michael Arpaio''' (born June 14, 1932) was the [[sheriff]] of Maricopa County, [[Arizona]] from 1993 to 2017.  As sheriff, he was known for being very [[conservative]], as well as tough on crime and on [[illegal immigration]]. Left-wing organizations such as the [[ACLU]], [[SPLC]], and the [[Obama Administration]] [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]],<ref name=doj>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/justice-department-sues-sheriff-joe-arpaio-civil-rights/story?id=16321622|title=Justice Department Sues Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Civil Rights Case|date=May 10, 2012 |accessdate=Sept. 11, 2017}}</ref> among others, attacked his strong anti-illegal immigration stance. Arpaio became Sheriff of Maricopa County in 1992 and was re-elected six times. As sheriff, Arpaio headed up the law enforcement agency for the unincorporated area surrounding Phoenix, an area of 9,226 square miles.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home|title=Welcome to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

In 2012, he and a group of volunteer investigators claimed to have evidence suggesting that [[Barack Obama]] deliberately forged his birth records in order to be eligible to run for President.<ref>http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/07-03-2012/120708-arizona_sheriff_obama-0/</ref>

In 2012, he and a group of volunteer investigators claimed to have evidence suggesting that [[Barack Obama]] deliberately forged his birth records in order to be eligible to run for President.<ref>http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/07-03-2012/120708-arizona_sheriff_obama-0/</ref>

Arpaio was convicted in federal court for misdemeanor contempt of court. On August 25, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] pardoned Arpaio, noting his over 50 years of "exemplary" public service and fighting illegal immigration in the White House statement of the pardon.<ref>Multiple references:

Arpaio was convicted in federal court for misdemeanor contempt of court. On August 25, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] pardoned Arpaio, noting his over 50 years of "exemplary" public service and fighting illegal immigration in the White House statement of the pardon.<ref>Multiple references:

*Spiering, Charlie (August 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/25/donald-trump-pardons-sheriff-joe-arpaio/ Donald Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*Spiering, Charlie (August 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/25/donald-trump-pardons-sheriff-joe-arpaio/ Donald Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/25/sheriff-joe-arpaio-wins-pardon-from-trump.html Sheriff Joe Arpaio wins pardon from Trump]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/25/sheriff-joe-arpaio-wins-pardon-from-trump.html Sheriff Joe Arpaio wins pardon from Trump]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*[https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-pardons-former-sheriff-arpaio/4001646.html Trump Pardons Ex-Arizona Sheriff Arpaio]. ''Voice of America''. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*[https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-pardons-former-sheriff-arpaio/4001646.html Trump Pardons Ex-Arizona Sheriff Arpaio]. ''Voice of America''. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*Trott, Bill (August 25, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-arpaio-idUSKCN1B600O Trump pardons ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*Trott, Bill (August 25, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-arpaio-idUSKCN1B600O Trump pardons ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.