President Donald Trump suggested he will grant Joe Arpaio, the controversial former sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, a pardon for criminal contempt.

During a campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, Trump signaled a pardon could come soon.

Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine, OK? Trump said. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had initially told reporters earlier Tuesday there would be no discussion of that today at any point.

Fox News reported on Aug. 14 that the president was seriously considering pardoning Arpaio, a strong Trump supporter who was convicted of criminal contempt for violating a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case. Arpaio has been scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine, according to Reuters.