President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in comments Tuesday called the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd a step forward towards a fairer America, but stressed that more needs to be done. Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges – second degree accidental murder, third degree accidental murder, and second degree manslaughter.
“A measure of justice is not equal to equal justice,” Harris said, speaking first. “This statement brings us a step closer and the fact is that we still have work to do. We still have to reform the system.”
Harris said injustice is not just a “people with a color problem,” but a problem for “every American.” She urged Congress to pass legislation reforming police forces in America, most notably the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Mr. Biden echoed Harris’s comments.
“Today’s verdict is a step forward,” said the president. ‘Nothing can ever bring their brother, their father back. But this could be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America. ‘
The president said a guilty verdict is “ far too rare ” in cases like this one, and this particular guilty verdict required a convergence of factors – video footage of a 17-year-old girl, a nation’s shock ‘, a murder that lasted . almost 10 minutes in broad daylight. ”
“We cannot stop here,” said Mr. Biden, insisting that more should be done to ensure that a similar tragedy does not occur again, and pushing for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act so that he can sign it in law. . The president also urged protesters to remain peaceful as cities across the country prepare for violence.
Mr. Biden and Harris, along with their staff, watched the verdict in the private White House dining room. After the verdict was read, Mr. Biden, Harris and First Lady Jill Biden spoke with Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, of the Oval Office. According to a video shared by Ben Crump, the Floyd family’s chief attorney, Mr. Biden told them, “There is justice now.”
Chauvin’s bail was immediately revoked, meaning he will spend his time until sentenced in prison. He will be sentenced within eight weeks. In Minnesota, second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Third-degree murder is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Second degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. But the punishment guidelines recommend less time for offenders with no criminal history.
Mr. Biden had been watching the trial closely and also spoke with Floyd’s family on Monday ahead of the verdict.
Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Biden said he “prayed that the verdict is the right verdict, that is – I find it overwhelming, in my opinion.”
Following those comments, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she didn’t think the president would consider weighing the verdict.
Ahead of the verdict, CNN Vice President Kamala Harris said that even a guilty verdict “ can’t take away the pain. ”
“Let’s just say there is a guilty verdict on the highest charge, it will not ease the pain of the Floyd family,” the vice president said on CNN. “It will not take the pain away from the communities, all communities, regardless of color or geographic location, who felt sadness and anger in what they saw in that video.”
The legal team representing George Floyd’s family released a statement following the verdict in support of the jury’s verdict, calling the decision “painfully deserved justice.”
“Painfully deserved justice has arrived for George Floyd’s family and the community here in Minneapolis, but today’s verdict goes well beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world,” said attorney Benjamin Crump. “Justice for Black America is justice for all of America. This case marks a turning point in American history for law enforcement accountability and sends a clear message that we hope will be heard clearly in every city and state.”
Floyd’s assassination in May sparked worldwide protests and a US race reckoning.