Outside Tent City, Jane Sanders asked Arpaio about racial profiling, but Arpaio declined to answer, citing legal concerns. Arpaio's Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was found by a federal judge to have racially profiled Latinos during enforcement activities.
However, he told her "there's a lot of misunderstanding about the tents" and that he was happy to discuss the facility.
"This sun — we're out here for just a few minutes. It's hard to be in those tents," Sanders told Arpaio in one exchange.
Arpaio responded with his stock answer: The conditions are similar to those endured by members of the U.S. military who are "fighting for our country" and living in tents.
"These are all convicted (inmates)," Arpaio said. "They're all doing their time."
"OK, I had not heard that," Sanders responded. "I had heard the opposite I thought that it had changed."
"No, that’s why I like talking to you is because at least I can get my side," Arpaio said.
Highlights from their conversation
Throughout the tour, Sanders and Arpaio exchanged similar remarks, with the senator's wife asking questions and the sheriff providing established answers. The tone was polite, if slightly awkward.
Sanders: "What about the racial profiling? I know that you have been supportive of it."
Arpaio: "I am not supportive of racial profiling."
Sanders: "OK, so then tell me again."
Arpaio: "I am not going to get into that because of court ..."
--
Arpaio: “I got nothing to hide."
Sanders: “Is the racial profiling, that is approved, the ability to deputize almost anyone to go and raid homes and say 'papers please'? ... Is that accurate?”
Arpaio: “No, I’m not gonna get into any of the legal matters. You can understand that. There’s a lot of misunderstanding."
---
Sanders: "Do you think there are too many people in jail in this country?"
Arpaio: "I don’t think that there's enough, because when you look at all the crime going on …” (shakes his head)
Sanders: "You’re talking about Wall Street, right?” (laughs)
Arpaio: "Wall Street? I don’t know about Wall Street. I haven’t investigated Wall Street."
---
Sanders: "You feel that this is humane, the way that you ..."
Arpaio: "Yeah, it’s about 130 degrees during the summer."
Sanders: "Well let me ask you this ..."
Arpaio: "And 135 degrees in Iraq."
Sanders: "Yeah, well ..."
Arpaio: "So, what’s wrong with that?"
Sanders: "Well, the jails are supposed to treat our people humanely."
Arpaio: "I haven’t had any problem!"
