Shortly after a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money trial, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign emphasized the importance of upholding the law for everyone. They also stressed the significance of defeating Trump not only in the legal system but also in the court of public opinion.
Michael Tyler, the communications director for Biden-Harris 2024, stated, “Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”
President Biden, who was in Delaware commemorating the ninth anniversary of his son Beau’s death at the time of the verdict, had no public events scheduled for Thursday evening.
“We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment,” said Ian Sams, a spokesman for the White House counsel’s office.
Vice President Harris, who was on Air Force Two heading to Los Angeles when the verdict was read, had not publicly commented on the decision by Thursday night.
Despite increasing criticisms of Trump during the campaign, Biden has refrained from directly addressing Trump’s legal issues, focusing instead on the independence of the Justice Department.
Before the verdict, the Biden campaign held a press conference outside the New York courthouse, with several officers involved in responding to the Jan. 6 insurrection and actor Robert De Niro.
On the other hand, the Trump campaign saw the event as an attempt to politically harm Trump.
Democratic strategists believe that Trump’s historic conviction will resonate with voters, with or without direct comments from Biden.
“The election is likely going to come down to thousands of votes in key states, and we know there are plenty of voters unwilling to elect a 34-time convicted felon to the presidency,” said Eric Schultz, a Democratic strategist.
Regarding Biden’s personal approach, strategist Simon Rosenberg advised, “Let the dust settle. Be careful and steady and strong. Take your time. Be Joe Biden.”
