Gloves are off as Joe Biden blasts ‘convicted felon’ Trump
Joe Biden has blasted Donald Trump as a ‘convicted felon’ who is making an all-out assault on the American justice system.
Joe Biden has blasted Donald Trump as a “convicted felon” who is making an all-out assault on the American justice system in the lead-up to November’s presidential election.
In a dramatic escalation of his attacks on his rival, the US President used the description for the first time since Mr Trump was convicted by a New York jury in a historic verdict last week of covering up hush-money payments to a porn star.
“Folks, the campaign entered uncharted territory,” Mr Biden told donors in Connecticut on Monday night (Tuesday AEST).
“For the first time in American history a former president that is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency.”
Mr Biden, 81, said Mr Trump’s attacks on the US justice system, with the Republican former president making unsupported allegations that the case was rigged, were more dangerous still.
“As disturbing as that is, more damaging is the all-out assault Donald Trump is making on the American system of justice,” the President said.
The Democratic incumbent said Mr Trump, whom he defeated in the 2020 election, would pose a greater threat if he won a second term.
“Something snapped in this guy for real” after 2020, Mr Biden said.
“It’s literally driving him crazy.”
Mr Biden also criticised Mr Trump for his suggestion at the weekend that sending him to prison could prove a “breaking point” for his supporters – a warning that will fuel concerns of political violence around the presidential election on November 5.
“He says if he loses there will be a bloodbath in America. What kind of man is this?” Mr Biden told supporters.
The President’s only previous comment on the Trump verdict was limited to the White House on Friday where he said no one was above the law – but without calling him a felon.
The Democrat’s campaign has been treading a fine line on how far to go in using Mr Trump’s conviction to attack him, with some commentators urging Mr Biden to keep a presidential distance and focus on election policies instead.
The President’s remarks came only hours after his son, Hunter, went on trial on gun charges in a historic first prosecution of a sitting president’s child.
The President’s only surviving son is charged with lying about his illegal drug use when buying a handgun in 2018, which is a felony.
The 54-year-old arrived in court in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, accompanied by family members, including first lady Jill Biden, although not the President.
Jury selection was completed during the day, allowing for opening arguments on Tuesday in a trial expected to last up to two weeks.
President Biden said he and the first lady, who was marking her 73rd birthday, were “so proud” of Hunter.
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength,” Mr Biden said.
The Delaware trial – along with another in which Hunter faces charges in California on tax evasion – is an embarrassment for Joe Biden as he seeks a second term and hopes to keep the country’s focus on Mr Trump’s behaviour.
In addition to being a political distraction, Hunter’s legal woes will reopen painful emotional wounds for the family from his time as a drug addict – a period he and his father have discussed publicly.
Hunter’s brother, Beau, died from cancer in 2015 and his sister, Naomi, died as an infant with her mother in a 1972 car crash.
The Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist is charged with falsely stating on legal paperwork when buying a .38 calibre Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 that he was not using drugs illegally. He is also charged with illegal possession of the firearm, which he had for just 11 days that October.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty. He had earlier reached a plea deal with prosecutors but this collapsed, leading to the trial.
Prosecutors are set to introduce often uncomfortable evidence linked to Hunter’s years as an addict. They have called as witnesses three of his former partners, including Lunden Roberts, the mother of one of his children.
The President’s son, who has written unsparingly about his addiction, will contend that at the moment he bought the revolver, he did not consider himself to be an addict. He has stated that he has been sober since 2019.
If found guilty, he could face 25 years in prison, although as a first-time offender he could escape any jail time. He could also face fines of up to $750,000.
Hunter Biden’s messy private life and foreign business dealings in China and Ukraine have also formed the basis for attempts by Republicans in congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President, to no avail.
The White House said last year there would be no presidential pardon for Hunter Biden in case of a conviction.
AFP
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