President Joe Biden’s decision to refer to his predecessor Donald Trump as a “convicted felon” marks a significant intensification of his rhetoric against his Republican rival in the upcoming general election.
According to CNN, Biden’s pointed remark, made during an off-camera fundraiser in Connecticut on Monday evening, reflects a shift towards a more aggressive political stance following Trump’s recent guilty verdict in his New York hush money trial. Some Democrats have been urging Biden to adopt a tougher approach against the presumptive Republican nominee.
“For the first time in American history, a former president who is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency,” Biden stated. “But as disturbing as that is, more damaging is the all-out assault Donald Trump is making on the American system of justice.”
While other Democratic officials have used similar language, Biden’s statement carries more weight given his position as president. Despite Republican support for Trump post-conviction, it remains uncertain how the verdict will influence swing state voters, where a few thousand votes could determine the election outcome.
Biden’s comments add to the dramatic narrative of an election entangled with Trump’s multiple legal challenges. On the same day, the Biden family faced its own courtroom drama as Hunter Biden, the president’s son, became the first child of a sitting president to go on trial. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to charges of buying and possessing a gun illegally while addicted to drugs and faces a tax trial in September. told by Yahoo
Last week, Biden highlighted Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts, condemning Trump’s claim that the verdict was rigged as “reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible.” Presidential remarks at fundraisers often serve as a testing ground for rhetoric that may later emerge in public events. However, Biden’s sharpened tone is likely to prompt accusations from the Trump campaign that the conviction was a result of political weaponization of the justice system.
In a significant legal development on Monday, Trump received favorable news from Georgia. The Georgia Court of Appeals set oral arguments for October 4 concerning an effort to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from a racketeering case involving Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. This development further complicates the prosecution’s efforts, as the timing of the arguments falls just a month before Election Day, creating an extremely tight timeframe for a trial.
Two federal cases against Trump, where he has also pleaded not guilty, are currently in a holding pattern. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this month on Trump’s demand for immunity for actions taken while president.
A decision requiring further litigation in lower courts could delay special counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case beyond Election Day. Additionally, pre-trial disputes have stalled the federal trial in Florida over Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents. Democrats accuse Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon of political bias in her rulings.
The delays across multiple legal fronts raise concerns about the ability of the US legal system to address Trump’s alleged attempts to stay in power before he has another chance to win the presidency. The delays represent a significant threat to American democracy, suggesting that future presidents might expect impunity for similar actions.
Trump’s potential avoidance of accountability for his 2020 election interference—due to skilled legal maneuvers, prosecutorial missteps, and luck—raises the stakes for the November election. If Trump loses, his future looks bleak with impending trials and massive legal fees.
However, if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general to halt federal cases and delay state proceedings, including the New York hush money conviction set for sentencing on July 11. Given these personal stakes, Trump is likely to do whatever it takes to regain power, refusing to guarantee acceptance of the 2024 election results.
Ty Cobb, a former Trump White House counsel, told CNN’s Erin Burnett that the October date in Georgia means “no possibility of this case going to trial before the election,” increasing the chances Trump could avoid legal accountability if he wins in 2024.
Meanwhile, the swift progress in Hunter Biden’s trials contrasts sharply with the slow pace of Trump’s criminal cases. Hunter Biden faces trial on tax charges in September, while Trump’s actions after the 2020 election remain under complicated legal scrutiny. Biden expressed unwavering love and respect for his son, emphasizing his role as both a president and a father.
Biden’s heightened rhetoric comes after Trump warned on AP News of public backlash if Judge Juan Merchan imposed a jail term following last week’s guilty verdict. Some senior Democrats accused Trump of inciting violence, recalling his incitement of the January 6 Capitol riot.
The intertwining of the 2024 election with legal issues facing both Trump and Biden is set to dominate discussions on Capitol Hill. Attorney General Merrick Garland will face intense scrutiny from Republicans and Democrats alike, as his quest to restore trust in the legal system continues to draw criticism from both sides.
Garland is expected to address concerns over the Hunter Biden trial and defend the integrity of the justice system against claims of bias following Trump’s conviction. The collapsed plea deal for Hunter Biden and the federal corruption trial of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez adds further complexity to the political and legal landscape as the 2024 election approaches.
