The Biden administration has weighed in on former president Donald Trump’s business records falsification criminal trial in New York as jury deliberations are underway in the historic case.
That is despite the trial taking place at a critical time with just months to go until the November presidential elections and both the Republican and Democrat nominees locked in a tight contest.
However, the senior Biden administration official noted a verdict in the case against the former U.S. leader would mark a significant day in history.
“This is going to be an important day,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said. “Obviously, the campaign is going to have more to share. The president—and I said this yesterday, a couple of times when I was asked this question in various ways—that the president is focused on the American people, delivering for the American people.”
“You'll hear him talk about… some of that today,” Ms. Jean-Pierre continued. “Again, the campaign will speak to that since it’s a campaign event, that’s his focus.”
Trump Says Trial is ‘Dangerous’ for America
President Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records—charges that are punishable by up to four years in prison—in the case in which Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has accused him of attempting to conceal non-disclosure payments of $130,000 to Stephanie Clifford, better known as adult entertainment actress Stormy Daniels, during his 2016 campaign.He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and maintained that the case against him is part of a politically motivated effort to undermine his 2024 White House bid.
Biden Campaign Holds Press Conference Outside Court
While closing arguments were being presented inside the courtroom, the Biden-Harris campaign used the opportunity to hold a press conference outside the New York court featuring actor Robert De Niro and two former Jan. 6 police officers.The event was hosted by President Biden’s communication director, Michael Tyler, who told reporters standing outside the court that President Trump represents a “unique, persistent, and growing threat” to the American people and “to our democracy.”
Elsewhere, Mr. De Niro, who recently featured in an advertisement for the Biden campaign, told the crowd gathered outside the court that President Trump “wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world.”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were not present during the event.
Asked Wednesday if President Biden was aware in advance that his campaign was going to give a press conference outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Ms. Jean-Pierre declined to comment.
“That’s for the campaign to speak to,” the press secretary said. “I don’t talk about the campaign with the president, so I would refer you to the campaign.”
President Trump is currently facing three other criminal prosecutions, although they are not expected to go to trial before the November elections.
