Republican Rep. Steve King is defending Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio against Justice Department charges of committing civil rights violations against Latinos in Maricopa County.
In a YouTube video that King's office released, the Iowa congressman and social conservative disputed allegations that Arpaio has been engaged in racial profiling and carrying out strong-handed patrols along the Arizona border aimed at stopping illegal immigrants.
“I’ve been to visit his operation,” King says in the video, adding: “There is not a profiling operation that I can see.”
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King characterized the
Justice Department allegations as “a political agenda that’s working against a man who stands up for the law.”
King suggested that the allegations from department’s civil rights division were prompted by long-time advocates of “open borders” who don’t believe in cracking down on illegal immigration.
“I defend Joe Arpaio,” King said. “I think he needs to continue with the tent city. And I think the Department of Justice should not be using themselves as a tool, a political tool, to push back against people that are working to enforce the law.”
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