May 27, 2024
Actor Robert De Niro and two January 6 police officers showed up on Tuesday, May 27, on behalf of the Biden campaign outside the courthouse where former President Trump’s hush money trial is taking place, reports The Hill.
In its most direct attempt to wade into Trump’s legal troubles, President Biden’s campaign held a surprise press conference in lower Manhattan in which the actor and officers Henry Dunn and Michael Fanone spoke of the dangers of a second Trump presidency.
When asked why they were holding a political event outside a criminal trial—in particular, after Trump has complained that the Biden Administration was responsible for his indictment despite it being a state case—Biden’s Communication Director Michael Tyler said “you all are here,” referring to the trials’ massive media presence.
“It’s easy to talk about the choice in this election when the entire news media is here day in and day out,” Tyler said.
At least 20 Trump supporters also were spotted in the park right next to the press conference—waving flags, wearing Make America Great Again gear, and chanting. A large flag that included the phrase “Trump or Death” was being raised near the event.
De Niro, who filmed a Biden campaign ad last week, argued against another Trump presidency to start off the press conference, bashing the former president while Trump supporters shouted and heckled him in the background in lower Manhattan.
The Trump supporters shouted over the pJufdress conference at times, making it difficult to hear the speakers. While De Niro was speaking, protesters could be heard yelling, “De Niro is afraid” and “I haven’t seen a good movie from you in the last 20 years!”
The large group also chanted “We love Trump” and “Juan Merchan is corrupt.” Judge Juan Merchan is overseeing Trump’s hush money trial and has been repeatedly criticized by Trump and his allies.
Tyler also said that the campaign wanted to warn against Trump ahead of the first presidential debate, which is set for June.
“We want to remind the American people ahead… of the first debate on June 27 of the unique, persistent, growing threat Donald Trump poses to the American people and towards democracy,” Tyler said.
Police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Dunn and Fanone, stood behind De Niro as he criticized Trump over actions both before and after his career in politics.
“I love this city, I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only this city but the country and eventually he will destroy the world,” De Niro said.
“We vowed that we would not allow terrorists—” he said, stopping himself.
Fanone spoke after De Niro—describing in detail the brutality that happened to him during the January 6 riots at the Capitol. Dunn then spoke, arguing that Trump “encourages” political violence.
Research contact: @thehill
