Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio Claims He Never Asked Trump for Pardon - but Is Happy to Get One

The controversial sheriff faces a six-month prison sentence for ignoring a court order to end racial profiling.

The so-called “toughest sheriff in America” is weighing in on the possibility that he may get pardoned by President Trump.

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“The people of this country wanted me to be pardoned,” former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio claimed in an exclusive interview with Inside Edition.

Arpaio faces a six-month jail term for ignoring a court order to stop racial profiling. He was defeated for re-election last November and is scheduled to be sentenced in October.

He claims he never asked for a pardon, but will be happy to receive one if it was granted by the president, whom the embattled sheriff backed during Trump's White House campaign.

“I never talked to him about the pardon — I never asked him,” the 85-year-old said. “This is his decision. I will always support him, pardon or no pardon.”

Trump expressed support for Arpaio at a rally in Phoenix Tuesday, which the former sheriff did not attend. He told CNN that he was not invited.

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"I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy," Trump said during the rally, which followed the city mayor's suggestion that an Arpaio pardon would “inflame passions.”

"I'll make a prediction," Trump added. "I think he's going to be just fine."

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