No pardon for Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but Trump appears to hint at future pardon

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Fox News is reporting that President Donald Trump will not pardon Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

According to Fox News, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Air Force One that there would be no discussion of a pardon, and no action taken on that front at any point on Tuesday.

Trump himself recently told Fox News that he was “seriously considering” a pardon for Arpaio. When the president’s campaign announced the Phoenix rally days later, it touched off immediate speculation that the event could be the venue to announce the president’s first pardon. 

Arpaio, for his part, said he will not ask for a pardon, but will accept one, if one is offered.

Arpaio was convicted of contempt of court for disregarding an Arizona judge’s order in 2011 to stop his anti-immigrant traffic patrols.

At the rally, however, Trump appears to hint at a future pardon for Arpaio.

Trump said, during a portion of the speech, that he predicts Arpaio will be "just fine", and said, without using the word "pardon", that he won't do it on Tuesday night, because he didn't "want to cause any controversy".

Fox News contributed to this report.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with FOX 10 Phoenix online, on social media, and on-air for further updates.