While the nation awaits a jury verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, President Biden said on Tuesday that he “prays that the verdict is the correct one.”
In a brief conversation with White House reporters, the president discussed his appeal on Monday with the family of George Floyd, the black man in Minnesota who died after being seen on video – handcuffed – saying, “I can’t breathe” while Chauvin knelt. on Floyd’s neck. His death sparked nationwide protests over spring and summer over police brutality against minorities and systemic racism.
Chauvin is charged with second degree accidental murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
PRESIDENT OFFERED SUPPORT ON MONDAY WITH GEORGE FLOYD’S FAMILY
Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, said in an interview on NBC News early Tuesday morning that the president called the Floyd family Monday after the jury began deliberations in the trial.
President Biden speaks during a meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, at the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
(AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
“I can only imagine the pressure and fear they feel, so I waited for the jury to be screened, and I called,” explained Biden. “I wasn’t going to say anything about it, but Philonise said it on television today, and he rightly said it was a private conversation because Joe understands what it was like to go through a loss. They’re a good family, and she cried. “To peace and tranquility whatever that verdict is. I pray that verdict is the right verdict, and I think it’s overwhelming, in my opinion. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was separated now.”
Biden called the Floyd family last year – shortly after Floyd’s death, which took place during the 2020 presidential election – and later the then-presidential candidate traveled to Houston to meet with the family and express his condolences.
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On Monday, the judge in Chauvin’s trial said he wished elected officials would stop referring to the case “especially in a way that is disrespectful to the rule of law,” so that the legal process proceeds as intended.
Judge Peter Cahill was referring to controversial comments over the weekend by Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, who urged Minnesota protesters to “stay on the streets” and “become more confrontational” if Chauvin is found not guilty.
“I’ll tell you that on appeal, Congressman Waters may have given you something that could result in this entire trial being quashed,” Cahill told Chauvin’s attorney.
Biden’s comments prompted a quick response from some pundits, including former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis, who tweeted, “RIP due process.”