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The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020 sparked widespread Black Lives Matter protests in the country. Ahead of the jury’s verdict, Joe Biden carefully weighed in on the evidence that has been presented thus far.
Speaking in a meeting with Hispanic lawmakers at the Oval Office, Biden carefully commented on the ongoing trial of Chauvin that also ended this week. Biden implied that there was a lot of evidence for the jury to consider in making their verdict about Chauvin. Chauvin later pleaded guilty on all three charges of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
“It’s overwhelming in my view,” said Biden. “I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered.”
Before taking office, Biden has called Floyd’s death a tragedy and has personally called Floyd’s family shortly after his death last year. Biden also traveled to Houston to privately meet with Floyd’s family and extended his condolences. Monday, ahead of the jury’s verdict, Biden reached out again to Floyd’s family and later shared that they want peace regardless of the verdict given.
Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd, also shared some details about his phone conversation with Biden. Mr. Floyd shared that Biden called them to let them know that he was praying for them and hoping that the situation would turn out okay. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki later confirmed Biden’s conversation with Floyd’s family.
Biden was closely monitoring the Chauvin trial in the case a controversial verdict would once again stoke racial tensions in the country and further deepen the distrust towards law enforcement.
In other news, Biden also commented on the reports of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s health condition. This came as doctors have warned that Navalny’s worsening condition would have him go into cardiac arrest due to his hunger strike. Biden said to the press that Navalny’s condition was “totally inappropriate” and “unfair.”
Navalny was imprisoned back in February and is serving two and a half years for old charges of embezzlement. The Russian opposition leader’s personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva and three other doctors, including cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin previously asked prison officials to grant them access to Navalny.
