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| Rep. Franks defends Arpaio, sheriff blames mayor | ||
| Posted: Mar. 16, 2009 | ||
| By KTAR | ||
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There are two federal inquiries into Sheriff Joe Arpaio's illegal immigration policies and one Arizona congressman said he knows why.
"They feel like that if they can take him out and do him damage or intimidate him, they end up intimidating the whole specter of law enforcement that deals with illegal immigration," says Republican Rep. Trent Franks.
Franks said it's vital that Arpaio continue his tough stance, especially now that Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the U.S.
He said the sheriff's opponents are backwards in their thinking.
"I'm just sort of astonished that we keep seeing this trend on the part of the Judiciary Committee especially under the Democratic control here, where they are seemingly more committed to going after the good guys than they are the bad guys."
Frank said there's nothing unlawful or inhumane about Arpaio's raids.
The Justice Department is also going to investigate Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office for possible racial profiling.
Arpaio told KTAR's Jay Lawrence he's not worried.
"They say they're coming down. You know, my doors are open. We do not racial profile."
Arpaio accused Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon of having a hand in the letter that informed him of the investigation "which by the way, Gordon was there at the same time talking to these people. He probably prepared the letter, but that's another issue. It will come out."
"We're going to survive this. It's just another blip in the 17 year career of the sheriff."
Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican, represents the 2nd District of Arizona in the U.S. Congress. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerical and Administrative and Law. ### |
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