NEW YORK — President Joe Biden directly attacked Donald Trump’s guilty verdict on Monday night, calling the ex-president a “convicted felon.” This sharp rebuke marks Biden’s most pointed commentary on Trump’s legal troubles to date.
Biden’s Remarks in New York
Speaking at a campaign reception in White Plains, New York, Biden did not hold back:
Historic Verdict: “Folks — the campaign entered uncharted territory last week. For the first time in American history, a former president that is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency,” Biden said, according to pool reports.
Assault on Justice: Biden further criticized Trump, saying, “But as disturbing as that is, more damaging is the all-out assault Donald Trump is making on the American system of justice.”
Biden’s First Direct Criticism
These comments mark the first time the president has publicly referred to Trump as a “convicted felon” since a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star. While Biden addressed the jury’s decision last Friday at the White House, he focused on Trump’s “reckless” attacks on the justice system rather than the specifics of the trial.
New Campaign Strategy: Biden has previously avoided discussing Trump’s criminal prosecution to avoid appearing to politicize the process. However, this strategy shifted following last week’s verdict.
Campaign’s Response and Strategy
Using the Conviction: Biden’s campaign and allies are now using Trump’s conviction to argue that Trump is unfit for office and would go to extremes to reclaim the White House. The campaign referred to Trump as a “convicted felon” over a dozen times on its social media account on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
Voter Impact: Biden’s aides believe that, despite the verdict, voters will be more influenced by other issues in November. Initially, the campaign acknowledged that Trump could still win even with a conviction.
Internal Debate Among Democrats
Strategic Differences: Top Democratic operatives are divided on how Biden’s campaign should approach Trump’s conviction. Some urge caution to avoid over-politicizing the issue, while others advocate for aggressively capitalizing on Trump’s legal troubles.
Hunter Biden’s Legal Issues
In the backdrop of this heightened campaign rhetoric is the trial of Biden’s son Hunter, who faces charges of illegally owning a gun while addicted to drugs and lying about it on a form. This trial began on Monday. Hunter Biden also faces another trial later this year on tax evasion charges in California.
Conclusion
President Biden’s decision to label Donald Trump as a “convicted felon” represents a significant escalation in his campaign strategy. This approach underscores the unprecedented nature of the current presidential race and highlights the deep legal and political divides within the country.
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