Things Get Tense, Awkward When CNN's Jake Tapper Confronts Sheriff Joe Arpaio on 'Preposterous' Obama Claim

CNN anchor Jake Tapper sparked an awkward exchange on Thursday when he pressed Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio on the “preposterous notion” that President Barack Obama’s birth certificate is a forgery.

“Why would you risk your credibility on issues you care about — like illegal immigration, like law enforcement — by getting involved in this nonsense?” Tapper asked bluntly on Thursday's edition of "The Lead."

“What do you mean ‘risk?’ I’m the chief law enforcement officer elected by the people. I have a right to investigate and speak out,” Arpaio responded. “I’m not talking about where he came from…We’re working on a fraudulent, forged government document.”

CNN

When asked to confirm he still believes Obama’s publicly released birth certificate is fraudulent, the sheriff replied, “That’s right.”

Arpaio later took a jab at Tapper, telling the anchor, “I’ve been around a long time. I’m not stupid enough to even talk to you about it, if I even think there was a lot of smoke and fire there.”

Watch the exchange via CNN below:

(H/T: Mediaite)

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