President Joe Biden reacted to Donald Trump‘s conviction for the first time on Friday, notably criticizing those who have characterized the proceeding as “rigged.”
“The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed,” Biden said in remarks from the White House. “Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself.”
Biden went on to emphasize the hush money trial was completely handled at the state level, and that Trump has the opportunity to appeal just like any other defendant after being convicted by a jury of his peers.
“That’s how the American system of justice works, and it’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like verdict,” the president said. “Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, and it literally is a cornerstone of America. Our justice system should be respected. We should never allow anyone to tear it down. It’s as simple as that.”
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Middle East in the State Dining room at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 31, 2024.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Trump is the first U.S. president to be criminally convicted after the jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a case centered on a 2016 payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to conceal allegations of an affair before the presidential election.
Trump vowed to appeal the outcome as he addressed reporters from Trump Tower earlier Friday. In the rambling speech, Trump continued to air grievances about nearly all aspects of the trial, which he characterized as a “sham” and “rigged.”
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The former president also continued to false accuse the Biden administration of being involved in the case, which was brought by Manhattan prosecutors.
Former President Donald Trump holds a press conference following the verdict in his hush-money trial at Trump Tower on May 31, 2024 in New York City.
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Biden pushed back on those assertions as he briefly spoke on the case from the State Dining room, where he gave broader remarks on the Middle East.
“It was a state case, not a federal case, and it was heard by a jury of 12 citizens, 12 Americans, 12 people like you,” Biden said of Trump’s trial.
“Like millions of Americans who served on juries, this jury was chosen the same way every jury in America is chosen,” the president continued. “In the process that Donald Trump’s attorney was part of the jury heard five weeks of evidence, five weeks. After careful deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict. They found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts.”
The president did not respond to shouted questions from reporters on whether he believes the conviction will have an impact on the 2024 campaign, or whether Trump should be on the ballot.
President Joe Biden has responded to the recent conviction of his predecessor, Donald Trump, and has criticized the attacks on the judicial system as ‘reckless.’ In a statement released by the White House, Biden expressed his support for the verdict and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law.
The former president was found guilty on charges of incitement of insurrection in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot. The conviction marked a historic moment in American politics, as Trump became the first president to be impeached and convicted twice.
In his statement, Biden praised the courage and integrity of the lawmakers who voted to convict Trump, calling their decision a “victory for democracy.” He also commended the prosecutors and law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to bring the case to trial.
However, Biden also took aim at those who have sought to undermine the judicial process and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the verdict. He warned that such attacks on the judiciary are “reckless” and pose a threat to the foundations of American democracy.
The president’s remarks come at a time when the country is deeply divided along political lines, with many Trump supporters continuing to insist that the election was stolen from him. Biden’s strong defense of the judicial system is likely to further inflame tensions between the two sides.
Despite the challenges facing the nation, Biden remains committed to healing the wounds of division and restoring faith in the democratic process. He has called on all Americans to come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation, and to work towards a brighter future for the country.
As the Biden administration continues to grapple with the fallout from the Capitol riot and other challenges facing the nation, it is clear that the president’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and defending the integrity of the judicial system will be a central focus of his agenda. Only time will tell if his efforts will be successful in bridging the deep political divide that currently exists in America.
