US Biden Avoids Comment on Trump Indictment... Steering Clear of Political Controversy

U.S. President Joe Biden Visits North Carolina Swing State Amid Trump Indictment

U.S. President Joe Biden said he would not comment on the indictment of former President Donald Trump. This appears to be an effort to avoid political controversy, drawing a line in response to the Republican Party's criticism of the indictment as a witch hunt.

On the 9th (local time), during a visit to North Carolina, President Biden was asked by reporters whether he had spoken with Attorney General Merrick Garland about the indictment of former President Trump. He replied, "I have not spoken with him at all." He also stated, "I will not do so going forward," indicating he would remain silent on the matter. He expressed the position that "there is nothing to comment on."

The White House showed the same response. When asked about President Biden's stance on Trump's indictment during an in-flight briefing to North Carolina, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton said, "We will not comment on this matter," and added, "Please direct your inquiries to the Department of Justice, which is conducting an independent criminal investigation."

President Joe Biden of the United States
[Photo by Yonhap News]

She further explained, "President Biden has said he respects the rule of law, which is why we do not comment on the case," and "He believes in respecting the independence of the Department of Justice and protecting the integrity of the process." "President Biden and his staff learned of the indictment last night and were not informed in advance," "they found out through news reports," emphasizing once again that there was no coordination with the Department of Justice.

In the U.S., there is an interpretation that President Biden, who officially announced his re-election bid in April, had a purpose in visiting North Carolina immediately after the indictment of former President Trump. North Carolina, which has 15 electoral votes, is considered a battleground state. In the last presidential election, former President Trump won there by a margin of 1.3 percentage points.

President Biden emphasized his economic agenda focused on attracting investment during his visit. He also visited Fort Liberty, the largest U.S. Army base, and issued an executive order to strengthen economic support for soldiers and families of veterans. While Republican primary candidates were busy criticizing each other, he highlighted his presidential qualities by focusing on nonpartisan issues in a battleground state.

Former President Trump, who is also running for re-election, has scheduled a campaign rally in North Carolina on the evening of the 10th, the day after Biden's visit.

Meanwhile, the U.S. federal prosecutors indicted former President Trump on 37 counts of legal violations on the same day. The indictment revealed allegations that Trump illegally removed and concealed classified national documents at his residence during his presidency and made false statements, among other legal violations. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is handling the case, stated in a related announcement that "the trial will proceed swiftly."