Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today released the following statement on Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s proclamation that President Obama’s birth certificate is a forgery.

“Sheriff Arpaio, who has apparently solved every case in Maricopa County and had nothing better to do, has decided that embarrassing himself on the national stage is a small price to pay for a headline. President Obama’s birthplace was never an issue but continues to fascinate a tiny minority that Sheriff Arpaio, for whatever reason, wants to impress. If he put half this much zeal and diligence into solving the 400-plus unresolved sex crimes cases he allowed to sit on the back burner, the public would be better served. This is a transparent smokescreen to cover up the federal grand jury investigation he’s facing. He continues to politicize his office as shamelessly as ever.”