Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Thursday called a controversial Arizona sheriff a bully and accused him of engaging in "un-American and uncivilized" law enforcement tactics.
Sanders's comments at a campaign rally here were directed at long-serving Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who prides himself on being “America’s toughest sheriff” and operates an infamous “tent city” jail where inmates endure extreme outdoor heat.
Thursday night’s rally was held at a Navajo casino, and the senator from Vermont focused heavily on issues facing Native Americans as well as Latinos.
Arpaio, also known for aggressive enforcement of immigration laws, has endorsed Republican front-runner Donald Trump in the presidential race.
Sanders recounted for his audience, estimated at 2,800 people, a trip that his wife, Jane, took earlier this week to the “tent city” as part of a separate campaign swing through Arizona on behalf of her husband. Upon learning of Jane Sanders’s plans, Arpaio showed up and offered the candidate’s wife a tour, and she asked him a series of pointed questions about the jail and immigration enforcement.
Sanders told the crowd at the rally that Arpaio “kind of ambushed” his wife.
"She asked him about racial profiling and he didn't have an answer,” Sanders said. “She asked him about conditions in tent city and other abuses that he has perpetuated, and he didn't have an answer. You know what, he cannot have an answer because what he is doing is un-American and uncivilized."