While out on his Florida golf course on Friday, Donald Trump berated California Governor Jerry Brown for pardoning five undocumented immigrants, ratcheting up the administration's clash over the golden state's immigration policy.
Trump resorted to name-calling in Satruday's tweet, calling Brown "Moonbeam" – referring to the Democrat's moniker coined by Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko in the 1970s for his then new-age ideas like satellites and for proposing a space academy for California.
"Governor Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown pardoned 5 criminal illegal aliens whose crimes include (1) Kidnapping and Robbery (2) Badly beating wife and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize (3) Dealing drugs," Trump tweeted.
The president lifting the words verbatim from a Fox News broadcast didn't go unnoticed.
On Saturday, Brown's office was quick to point out in a statement that those who were pardoned have been "out of custody for at least 10 years and the majority were convicted of drug-related or other nonviolent crimes."
A gubernatorial pardon may be granted to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction.
The process includes eligible individuals obtaining a Certificate of Rehabilitation, which is an order from a superior court declaring that a person convicted of a crime is now rehabilitated. This requirement was waived for two individuals facing the possibility of deportation.
And they made sure to remind the President of his own words the previous day:
The governor granted 56 pardons with five of them – Sokha Chhan, Daniel Maher, Phann Pheach, Francisco Acevedo Alaniz and Sergio Mena – awaiting possible deportation. Brown also reduced 14 sentences from the convicts applying for commutations.
In the majority of these commutations, the individuals have been granted the opportunity to make their case before the Board of Parole Hearings, which will determine whether they are ready to be paroled.
A spokesperson from Brown's office told CNN they observed Trump's comments bashing the governor were "rather curious given President Trump's proclamation yesterday declaring April 'Second Chance Month' to 'celebrate those who have exited the prison system and successfully reentered society."
The same spokesperson said pardons are considered for "individuals who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction."
Twitter didn't forget Trump pardoned Joe Arpaio, the Arizona sheriff who went after undocumented immigrants.
Despite civil rights groups accusing the former sheriff of violating the constitution, the White House issued a statement praising Arpaio last year.
Throughout his time as sheriff, Arpaio continued his life's work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old, and after more than 50 years of admirable service to our nation, he is (a) worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon.
H/T - CNN, HuffingtonPost, Twitter, USAtoday
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