Former white house press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, recently tweeted, “it’s the role of the President of the United States to stay back and not inflame the tensions.” The irony of this comment appears to be lost on her.
She wrote this in response to Biden’s comments about the Derek Chauvin trial before the verdict was in. Biden said he was praying for the right verdict and that the evidence was overwhelming in his view. Various right-wing conservatives complained about Biden’s remarks.
A call to the family
Biden also called the Floyd family once the jury was sequestered. McEnany did praise Biden for calling George Floyd’s family but was quick to point out that Donald Trump had done the same. When Floyd’s brother, Philonise, commented on Trump’s call, he said Trump didn’t give him a chance to speak and didn’t seem to want to know what he had to say.
Awaiting the verdict
George Floyd died in May 2020 and widespread protests against police brutality and racism swept the country over the summer after a video surfaced where Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Ahead of the trial’s conclusion, Biden conveyed what many people across the country were feeling – compassion for the family and what a difficult time this is for many Americans who have been following the trial.
The White House was working with state and local authorities to provide the opportunity for peaceful protests. There were fears that a controversial verdict could inflame racial tensions and escalate the crisis of confidence in police forces. On the other hand, there were also fears that conviction could cause agitators to use the moment to create unrest and inflame racial hatred.
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Chauvin is convicted on all counts
The former Minneapolis Police Officer has been convicted of all charges in George Floyd’s death. His potential sentence is for 40 years but the actual sentence will be in about eight weeks.
George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, said the guilty verdict was a relief. Benjamin Crump, the Floyd family attorney, says he hopes this decision will set a precedent going forward. He said it is a victory for those who champion humanity over inhumanity, justice over injustice, and morals over immorality.
One of George Floyd’s friends, Lester Hall, who witnessed his murder, believes the verdict marks a turning point. Major athletes in the sports world have been weighing in on the verdict, too and saying they were hopeful the decision would be a step forward.
Right-wing activists predictably said the trial was “rigged.” Right-wing YouTuber, Brandon Tatum, suggested a sinister conspiracy of the media aiming to have Black people confront police so they can be shot in exchange for a large payoff.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson said that the implicit statement of the jury amounted to “please don’t hurt us.”
Celebration is premature
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson said the verdict was a relief but that celebration is premature because there’s still so much work left to do. He specifically referred to Daunte Wright, a Black man who was shot and killed by police not far from where Floyd died. Other civil rights activists expressed the same sentiment.
Crowds of people have gathered in Minneapolis and across the country following the verdict. Biden spoke from the White House and said the verdict sends the message that no one should be above the law but agrees that more needs to be done.