Trump Praises Ex-Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Who Ran a Self-Described ‘Concentration Camp,’ at Arizona Rally

Donald Trump took time to praise former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the lawman who ran a self-described “concentration camp,” during his appearance at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona on Sunday. Trump’s rally followed his Saturday appearance in Coachella, California where he threatened to withhold wildfire aid to the state if he wins the election and Governor Newsom doesn’t follow his unspecified water solutions.

In Arizona where Border Patrol workers endorsed him on the stage, Trump continued his racist migrant rants that have been central to most of his recent rallies. With a little more than 13 percent of Arizona’s population made up of immigrants, that’s 981,000 as of 2023, Trump’s remarks to those who were not born in this country in the state were likely not very comforting.

Alongside his typical claims that Venezuelan gangs are taking over the country, at this rally he also claimed criminal Congolese people are entering the U.S. in droves. He falsely claimed that “We’re now known throughout the world  as an ‘occupied country’” and that he will “rescue Arizona and every town across America that has been invaded and conquered” — the thing is, quite literally, this is untrue.

But, you know, never mind facts. This leads us to him lauding former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a kindred spirit when it comes to demonizing migrants. Arpaio was in attendance during the rally and stood up from his spot up front in the audience to accept the acknowledgement. “Sheriff Joe, we didn’t have any problems with Sheriff Joe. He was tough and fair. You know what? He was actually very fair. It was amazing. Thank you very much, Sheriff Joe,” Trump said. “I just saw you here. I would have had to come up, but you are a special guy. Thank you.”

The retired sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona is infamous for setting up an open-air “Tent City” jail that Arpaio referred to as a “concentration camp.” He had been accused, sued, and investigated over racial profiling, and was held and convicted of criminal contempt of court over it. Beyond that, he was involved in the birther movement, immigration crackdowns, and jail deaths. In August 2017, Trump gifted Arpaio with a controversial presidential pardon for his conviction of criminal contempt of court. Trump tweeted at the time, “He kept Arizona safe!”

The many lawsuits against the former lawman had cost Arizona taxpayers $100 million as of 2021, as NPR reported.

Trump’s next appearance is tomorrow, Oct. 14, when he hosts a Town Hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania.