Biden Condemns Trump's "Dangerous" Claim About Hush Money Verdict
Calling Out Irresponsible Rhetoric
President Joe Biden forcefully responded to former President Donald Trump's claims that his recent criminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money trial was "rigged," denouncing such assertions as "reckless," "dangerous," and "irresponsible." Biden's comments, delivered from the White House, came a day after a New York jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election through the payment of hush money to an adult film actress.
Biden's rebuke represented a significant shift in the president's rhetoric, as he had previously avoided directly engaging with Trump's legal troubles in order to avoid accusations of political interference. However, as the high-profile trial unfolded and Trump's convictions mounted, the Biden campaign and administration felt compelled to address the former president's baseless claims that the judicial process was tainted.
"It's reckless, it's dangerous, it's irresponsible for anyone to say this is 'rigged' just because they don't like the verdict," Biden said, emphasizing that the 12-person jury who unanimously convicted Trump was selected "the same way every jury in America's chosen" and that the former president had "every opportunity to defend himself."
The president's remarks underscored the gravity of the situation, as Trump's continued insistence that the legal system is biased against him threatens to further erode public trust in the foundations of American democracy. Biden made it clear that such rhetoric is unacceptable, particularly from a former commander-in-chief, and that the "American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed" by the jury's verdict.
Biden's forceful response also signals a potential shift in the Biden campaign's strategy as they navigate the volatile political landscape leading up to the 2024 election. While the administration has maintained a focus on issues such as democracy, abortion rights, and economic concerns, the president's comments suggest that they may be more willing to engage directly with Trump's legal troubles and the broader implications for the country's democratic institutions.
