Does President Joe Biden have any reaction to former President Donald Trump’s impeachment? Is he worried about possible protests or that the unprecedented indictment could further divide the country? What does impeachment mean for the rule of law in the United States?
Biden’s answer on Friday was the same: no comment, no comment, no comment.
“I’m not going to talk about impeachment of Trump,” Biden said firmly as he departed the White House on his way to Mississippi, where he toured storm damage.
In his brief exchange with reporters, the Democratic president outlined the broad strategy his administration is trying to take as it deals with the Republican former president’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury: lower the political temperature, activate criminal cases Stay out, focus on Biden’s agenda and priorities.
That could become more difficult as Trump’s legal case progresses. But at least in their initial outlook on Friday, Biden and other top administration officials stuck to their playbooks.
Vice President Kamala Harris said during a news conference in Lusaka, Zambia, “I am not going to comment on the ongoing criminal case as it relates to the former president.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on her way to Mississippi, said: “Look, we’re not going to comment on any ongoing matters, and I’ll leave it at that.”
The press secretary stressed that Biden supports peaceful protests and the administration is always prepared for any contingency. Jean-Pierre said Biden learned about his predecessor’s impeachment through news reports on Thursday, like other Americans.
But otherwise, there would be no comment from the White House.
One head of state had something to say: Zambian President Hakindye Hichilema, who appeared with Harris during Friday’s news conference.
Asked what Trump’s indictment exemplifies in terms of the rule of law in the United States, Hichilema said that “rules form a platform or framework around which we govern ourselves either as Americans or as Zambians.” agree to” and “stay within those limits.” ,
Hichilema said, “When a crime against the law is committed, it does not matter who is involved.” “I think that’s what the rule of law means.”
But to be clear, Hichilema wasn’t talking about Trump directly.
“I take out the names,” said Hichilema. “I have put in place the names of what we citizens of our countries – citizens of the global community – must do … to exercise our rights and freedoms.”
The nature of the allegations against Trump was unclear because the indictment was under seal, but they appear to stem from payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of extramarital sexual encounters. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.