The American Bar Association publicly rebuked President Donald Trump's decision Friday to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, saying the president's authority to pardon "should be used in a manner that does not undermine the public's trust in our justice system."

Arpaio was facing possible jail time for allegedly ignoring a court order to stop targeting immigrants for arrest. However, the former sheriff is a Trump supporter, and the two share the belief the U.S. could do more to crack down on illegal immigration.

In a statement, ABA President Hilarie Bass said the crime Arpaio was convicted of committing—criminal contempt of court for ignoring a judge's order—"showed a blatant disregard for the authority of the judiciary." She added the former sheriff took an oath to uphold the law.

"Granting Arpaio an expedited pardon sends the wrong message to the public," she said. "The authority of the courts must be respected if our system is to work. Individual interpretations cannot be swapped for the rule of law."

NAACP and several civil rights groups also condemned the pardon, as did many Republican leaders, including Arizona Sen. John McCain. No law enforcement associations had issued statements about the president's decision as of Monday morning.

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