Joe Arpaio
Who pardoned him: Donald Trump
What he was pardoned for: Contempt
Why it was controversial: Sheriff Joe Arpaio was found to be racially profiling those in the Latinx community. He was ordered to stop by a federal judge, and when he didn’t, was convicted of contempt. Trump’s pardon came swiftly – even before Arpaio was handed a sentence. Many felt this pardon openly undermined the rule of law, not to mention supported racism and xenophobia.