Reporters are confronting White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki about President Joe Biden’s comments on the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
While speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Biden said, “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict, which I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered.”
During the White House press briefing on Tuesday, reporter for The Associated Press Jon Lemire asked Psaki, “What precisely did the president mean? What is ‘overwhelming?’ And does this mean the president thinks the police officer should be convicted on all counts?”
Psaki replied, “The president has clearly been watching the trial closely, as many Americans have been. He was moved by his conversations with the family yesterday. He knows the family.”
She continued, “And as somebody who has been impacted by grief himself, that was a large part of their conversation, the conversation he had just yesterday. As he also noted, the jury is sequestered, which is why he spoke to this. But I would expect he will weigh in further once there is a verdict. And I’m not going to provide additional analysis on what he meant.”
Watch part of the press briefing below:
Jen Psaki reiterated Pres. Biden’s comments on the Chauvin trial and said he’ll have more to say after the verdict is delivered pic.twitter.com/SIvaLXc5V6
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) April 20, 2021
Lemire went on to press Psaki, “You’re not able to clarify what is ‘overwhelming?’ The evidence? The case presented by the prosecution?”
Psaki explained, “We’re not going to get ahead of the outcome. I expect when there’s a verdict he will have more to say.”
The Associated Press reporter mentioned concern Biden’s comments could “add to” unrest “if the ‘right verdict’ is not reached?”
“Regardless of the outcome, the president has consistently called for peace. And our focus, as we are working with state and local authorities, is on providing the space for peaceful protest. And that will be consistent regardless of what the outcome of the verdict is,” Psaki said.
When asked if Biden’s comments could be grounds for an appeal or a mistrial, Psaki said, “The jury is sequestered, which the president also noted in his comments. He certainly is not looking to influence, but he has been touched by the impact on the family, hence he called the family yesterday and had that discussion.”
NBC’s Kristen Welker later jumped in and asked Psaki why it is “appropriate” for Biden to weigh in on the verdict.
“I don’t think he would see it as weighing in on the verdict. He was conveying what many people are feeling across the country, which is compassion for the family, what a difficult time this is for many Americans across the country who have been watching this trial very closely,” Psaki said.
Chauvin pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter following his involvement in the death of George Floyd.