President Biden took a bold stance against former President Donald J. Trump during a high-dollar fund-raiser in Connecticut on Monday night, where he addressed the recent criminal conviction of Mr. Trump in his New York hush-money case.
Speaking to a crowd that included Connecticut’s governor and U.S. senators, Mr. Biden condemned Mr. Trump for being the first former president and convicted felon to seek the Oval Office. He criticized Mr. Trump for his attacks on the American system of justice, calling him “unhinged” and accusing him of undermining democratic institutions.
The President’s remarks marked a significant shift in his approach to Mr. Trump’s legal troubles. Previously, Mr. Biden had avoided directly engaging with the issue, but Democrats had been urging him to take a more aggressive stance.
In addition to criticizing Mr. Trump’s criminal conviction, Mr. Biden also brought up past controversial statements made by the former president, including his suggestion that bleach could be used to treat COVID-19, a claim that was quickly debunked.
The Trump campaign responded to Mr. Biden’s comments by accusing him of trying to divert attention from the federal gun charge trial of his son, Hunter, which opened on Monday.
Overall, President Biden’s strong words at the fund-raiser highlighted the escalating tensions between him and Mr. Trump, setting the stage for a potentially contentious re-election campaign.
