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President Biden Friday avoided addressing whether he still thinks Kyle Rittenhouse is a white supremacist, on the same day jurors came back with a verdict of not guilty on all counts in the Illinois teen’s murder trial.
Biden, who says he did not watch the trial, spoke briefly about the jury’s decision.
KYLE RITTENHOUSE FOUND NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS IN KENOSHA TRIAL
Biden had tweeted during the presidential campaign a video focusing on white supremacism that included Rittenhouse.
Asked Friday if he stood by characterizing Rittenhouse as a white supremacist, Biden refused to answer and instead just said he stands by the jury’s conclusion.
“Look, I stand by what the jury has concluded,” Biden said. “The jury system works and we have to abide by it.”
During his presidential campaign, Biden shared an image of Rittenhouse in a video he tweeted attempting to link former President Trump to White supremacists.
Kyle Rittenhouse hugs one of his attorneys, Corey Chirafisi, after he is found not guilt on all counts at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. (Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool) (Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool)
Following the verdict, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., demanded Biden “publicly apologize” to Rittenhouse for the statement he made in 2020.
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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. (Photo by Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images) (Patrick Semansky)
“Joe Biden needs to publicly apologize to Kyle Rittenhouse,” Cotton tweeted.
Rittenhouse would have faced a mandatory life sentence if found guilty and convicted of first-degree intentional homicide.