PHOENIX, AZ (WCMH) — Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has garnered national attention over the years, and he’s gaining it again after deciding to put the American flag on inmates’ uniforms.

“This is one way to display that love loyalty patriotism in a in a jail environment,” Arpaio told KPHO.

The inmates received their new uniforms on July 4, which led some to question if Arpaio was trying to score some political points as he runs for his seventh term as sheriff.

“This is a total exploitation of a very sacred day in our country.  This is totally political,” said Dan Saban, Republican candidate for sheriff.

Eventually, all 3,800 inmates at Tent City will be issued the new uniforms with the flag on them.

Arpaio says the new standard in uniform has nothing to do with politics. “Is he trying to say I’m using the American flag as a stunt that’s disgraceful for anyone to say that especially him who wants to be the sheriff.”

Arpaio is expected be in federal court Friday as part of his ongoing racial profiling case.What others are clicking on: