President Trump really, really wanted Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a most loyal advocate, in the clear.

So much so, a new report states that he even went to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to see what it would take to make it happen.

From the Washington Examiner:

“We knew the president wanted to do this for some time now and had worked to prepare for whenever the moment may come,” an anonymous source was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.

The report also said advisors told the president any intervention by the Justice Department would be inappropriate.

He just wants to do what he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it, doesn’t he?

Arpaio was found in contempt of court for continuing the practice of profiling Hispanics, as he searched for illegal immigrants.

He would set up patrols in Hispanic neighborhoods, stopped cars, even parked an 18-wheeler with the words “Mobile Command Center” in the middle of town, for the purpose of intimidation. When the courts deemed it a civil rights issue and told him to stop, he didn’t.

And he was not remorseful for violating the court’s order.

 Not only did Arpaio refuse, he bragged about it: “Nobody is higher than me. I am the elected sheriff by the people. I don’t serve any governor or the president.”

He didn’t think he’d be charged. He didn’t think he’d be found guilty. He didn’t think he’d go to jail.

He got one right, thanks to President Trump.

Trump’s pardon of Arpaio came at a time when the former sheriff hadn’t even been sentenced, and showed no remorse (several conditions attached to pardon orders).

It also came at a time when a major storm was moving into Houston, Texas on Friday, which might lead some to believe Trump was attempting to get this bit of political payback out of the way when the media would be focused on something else.

And of course, there are those who are looking at this and considering the possibility of Trump giving sweeping pardons to those who have received subpoenas in the Russia probe, as well.