Biden Campaign Stages Surprise Event Outside Trump Trial with De Niro, Capitol Officers
By Jake Beardslee ·
May 28, 2024
On Tuesday a surprising political event took place outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is ongoing. Actor Robert De Niro and two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Henry Dunn and Michael Fanone, showed up on behalf of President Joe Biden's re-election campaign. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Wikimedia
In an unexpected move, the Biden campaign held a press conference near the courthouse, warning against a potential second Trump presidency. Spencer Platt / Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Biden's communication director, Michael Tyler, justified the event's location by pointing out the significant media presence covering the trial, stating, "It's easy to talk about the choice in this election when the entire news media is here day in and day out," according to The Hill. Andrew Kelly / Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
De Niro, who recently filmed a campaign ad for Biden, harshly criticized Trump while being heckled by nearby Trump supporters. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY
"If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss away these freedoms that we take for granted and elections, forget about it… he will never leave," De Niro said. Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY, USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The actor also accused Trump of rallying "an angry mob" on January 6, 2021, saying, "He doesn't get blood on his hands… he directs the angry mob to do his dirty work for him." Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY
Officers Dunn and Fanone, who were present during the January 6 Capitol riots, also spoke at the event, with Fanone describing the brutality he experienced, and Dunn stating that Trump "encourages" political violence. Jack Gruber / USA Today / USA TODAY NETWORK
In a swift response, the Trump campaign organized a rebuttal event at the same courthouse location. SARAH YENESEL / Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jason Miller, a Trump aide, dismissed the trial as "complete garbage" and called De Niro a "washed up actor." Doug Mills / Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Miller also cited a Politico report suggesting Democrats are in a "full blown 'freakout'" over Biden's re-election prospects. Jabin Botsford / Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
