Donald Trump, U.S. president and former reality TV star, apparently had ratings in mind on Friday when he pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who’s long faced accusations of racial profiling. During a press conference Monday, Trump suggested he timed the controversial move to get the best proverbial bang for his buck.

“I wonder if you could tell us what was behind your thinking for issuing the pardon for the Sheriff,” Fox News’ John Roberts told the president. “And, as well, what do you say to your critics, even some in your own party, who say it was the wrong thing to do?”

“Well, a lot of people think it was the right thing to do, John,” Trump responded. “And actually, in the middle of a hurricane, even though it was a Friday evening, I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally. You know the hurricane was just starting, and I put it out that I had pardoned, as we say, Sheriff Joe.”

Trump proceeded to compliment Arpaio, insisting he’s “done a great job for the people of Arizona.”

“He’s very strong on borders, very strong on illegal immigration,” Trump continued. “He is loved in Arizona.”

In case you haven’t been following along, the pardoning itself was highly contentious: Arpaio—an avid Trump supporter—was convicted in July of misdemeanor contempt of court in connection to his treatment of people he believed were undocumented immigrants. His pardoning drew widespread criticism from both democrats and high-ranking members of Trump’s own party.

A survey released last Monday found that just 21% of Arizonans supported a possible pardon for Arpaio. Significantly more respondents — half, in fact — opposed it.

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