On Friday, President Joe Biden shared his comments on the guilty verdicts reached against former president Donald Trump on Thursday.
What Happened: Biden, who will likely face off against Trump in the 2024 presidential election, spoke about the jury that found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
"The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed," Biden said. "Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself."
Biden said the state case saw a jury of 12 citizens hear the deliberations and decide on a verdict, with Trump's lawyers part of the jury selection process.
"This jury was chosen the same way every jury in America is chosen."
Biden added that after five weeks of evidence, the jury reached a "unanimous verdict," finding Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts.
"He will be given the opportunity as he should to appeal that decision just like everyone else has that opportunity."
Biden attacked Trump's commentary on the guilty verdicts that were part of a speech by the former president earlier Friday morning.
"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 the justice system should be respected.
"We should never allow anyone to tear it down. That's America, that's who we are and that's who we'll always be, God willing."
Related Link: Trump Proclaims Innocence After Guilty Verdict On All 34 Counts In Criminal Trial: ‘Real Verdict Will Be Nov. 5 By The People’
Why It's Important: Trump held a press event Friday morning with reporters when he criticized the guilty verdict and trial.
"It was very unfair," Trump said.
Trump said his team wasn't able to use an election expert in the trial and some of the defense's witnesses were "crucified by the judge."
"It was a rigged trial."
Trump encouraged supporters to go to his website and donate and to remember the trial on election day.
"November 5 is going to be the most important day in the history of our country."
The comments from Biden were the first from the president since the verdict was reached. Biden said the comments before sharing an update on the Middle East conflict.
On Thursday, Biden's team issued a similar statement saying the guilty verdict showed no one is above the law.
“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,” Biden campaign’s communications director Michael Tyler said.
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