Biden reacts to Trump's conviction: 'No one is above the law'

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden reacted for the first time to his predecessor Donald Trump's conviction on Friday, asserting that "no one is above the law" and labeling Trump's response to the conviction as "reckless" and "dangerous."

Critizing Trump's remarks that the conviction was "rigged," Biden said: "It’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged, just because they don’t like the verdict".

"The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed," said Biden during his remarks at the White House. "Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself".

Noting that Trump has the opportunity to appeal to the decision just like any other defendant, Biden said: "That's how the American system of justice works."

"Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, and it literally is a cornerstone of America. Our justice system should be respected. We should never allow anyone to tear it down. As simple as that," he added.

Earlier, Trump tore into what he called a "fascist" judicial system, just hours after he was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 state crimes.

Trump, now a convicted felon, went on a meandering and at times contradictory 42-minute diatribe in which he maintained that the "rigged" case was politically motivated by his successor, President Joe Biden, telling his supporters, "If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone."

All 34 counts on which Trump was convicted related to an scheme to pay off adult film star Stormy Daniels, who alleged an affair with the former president, in an illegal effort to influence the 2016 presidential election via falsified business records.

Trump maintained that he would appeal "this scam," even as he is scheduled to be sentenced by acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, July 11. Each count of which Trump was convicted carries up to a four-year state prison term, with a a maximum term of 20 years.

It remains unclear if Merchan will consider prison time for Trump rather than a fine or probation. Prosecutors have not yet formally sought a penalty of imprisonment.

The former president did not specify on which grounds he would be appealing, but said his attorneys would object "on many different things."