The trial of former President Donald Trump continued on Tuesday at the Manhattan criminal courthouse, attracting significant media and political attention. Outside the courthouse, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered remarks that echoed the sentiments of Trump’s supporters, labeling the trial as a “sham” and “political theater.”
This was a notable moment, as it is uncommon for someone in Johnson’s high-ranking position to make such emphatic critiques of judicial processes. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, provided pivotal testimony yesterday regarding payments made to quell allegations of past sexual encounters with Trump. The testimony is central to the hush money trial that has ensnared the former president.
“This is a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge,” Johnson said of Cohen. “He is someone who has a history of perjury. No one should believe a word he says in there.” Later in the day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre inadvertently stirred up controversy after her press briefing.
“Was it appropriate for Speaker Johnson to show up at the trial of the former president today?,” Jean-Pierre was asked.
“I can’t speak to… I don’t want to comment obviously as this is related to 2024 elections,” she admitted. “I can’t speak to the Speaker’s schedule. That is something for him to decide on.” KJP’s comments were later pointed out by Trump allies as evidence that the trial is politically motivated, aimed at undermining Trump’s potential run in the upcoming election.
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The clip surged discussions among conservatives about the fairness of the trial and the integrity of the judicial process when intersected with political rivalries. Charlie Hurt, a conservative commentator, criticized Jean-Pierre’s performance as press secretary while talking to Fox News.
“The Press Secretary declined to comment on the current kangaroo case going on in New York, claiming the Hatch Act,” Hurt pointed out. “Saying that she could not talk about it because it was all politics. It was the truest… it’s the only true thing that strange lady has said since she has been at that podium. And she is, by the way, the worst press secretary in the history of the country, but she did that; that was one true.”
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As for 2024, Trump and Biden will debate on June 27th after both candidates accepted an offer from CNN to host the face-to-face. Two sources with Biden’s campaign told CNN the debate will occur in-studio without a live audience. Trump agreed, telling reporter Brooke Singman, “I’ll be there.”
The debate is set to coincide with the likely end of Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial and will take place shortly after Joe Biden returns from an overseas junket to the G7 Summit. The second debate in September would occur shortly before the start of early voting in most states. The Biden-Harris campaign also proposed a vice-presidential debate for July after both parties had officially nominated their ticket partners.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds – That’s only because he doesn’t get them. Just tell me when, I’ll be there. ‘Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!’”