Former President Trump congratulated Kyle Rittenhouse on Friday, after the teenager was found not guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of two men in racial justice protests.
The verdict divided America. As the left denounced the outcome as a miscarriage of justice, the right said Rittenhouse never should have been put on trial.
'Congratulations to Kyle Rittenhouse for being found INNOCENT of all charges,' said Trump in an emailed statement.
'It’s called being found NOT GUILTY—And by the way, if that’s not self defense, nothing is!'
A fundraising appeal followed.
'This trial was nothing more than a WITCH HUNT from the Radical Left,' said an email to supporters, directing them to donate to the online WinRed platform.
'They want to PUNISH law-abiding citizens, including a CHILD, like Kyle Rittenhouse, for doing nothing more than following the LAW.'
Jurors found Rittenhouse, 18, not guilty on all charges: two counts of homicide, one count of attempted homicide for wounding a third man, and two counts of recklessly endangering safety in protests marred by arson, rioting and looting on Aug. 25, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The outcome triggered anger among many Democrats.
Former President Donald Trump congratulated Kyle Rittenhouse on being acquitted on all five charges related to the fatal shooting of two men and the wounding of a third
Rittenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and fired a bullet that tore a chunk off the arm of Gaige Grosskreutz, 28. Rittenhouse claimed self defense
'While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken,' said President Biden
House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerold Nadler said: 'This heartbreaking verdict is a miscarriage of justice and sets a dangerous precedent which justifies federal review by [the Department of Justice].
'Justice cannot tolerate armed persons crossing state lines looking for trouble while people engage in First Amendment-protected protest.'
Rittenhouse cannot be tried again for the same alleged crime, and DOJ does not have the authority to prosecute state crimes – although it does probe law enforcement for bias or misconduct.
President Joe Biden said Friday that he stands by the jury that found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty – as Republicans renewed demands that he apologize for comparing the Kenosha shooter to white supremacists in the wake of the verdict.
'I stand by with the jury as the jury system has concluded. The jury system works and you have to abide by it,' Biden told reporters Friday afternoon as he returned to the White House from Walter Reed Medical Center, where he had a physical.
He said he 'just heard a moment ago' about the verdict, and says he 'didn't watch the trial', which featured dramatic clashes between the prosecution and defense lawyers and testimony by the accused teen in an event that got gavel-to-gavel cable news coverage.
Biden also issued a statement saying he and other Americans were 'angry and concerned' by the verdict.
Republican lawmakers and other officials are demanding that Biden apologize to Rittenhouse for comparing Rittenhouse to white supremacists following the Wisconsin jury's not-guilty verdict.
'Joe Biden needs to publicly apologize to Kyle Rittenhouse,' said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), in a statement immediately after the verdict.
'The jury system works and you have to abide by it,' President Joe Biden said Friday when asked about the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict
'While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken,' Biden said in the official White House statement.
'I ran on a promise to bring Americans together, because I believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. I know that we’re not going to heal our country’s wounds overnight, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything in my power to ensure that every American is treated equally, with fairness and dignity, under the law.'
He also referenced fears of potential violence in Kenosha after the acquittal.
'I urge everyone to express their views peacefully, consistent with the rule of law. Violence and destruction of property have no place in our democracy. The White House and Federal authorities have been in contact with Governor [Tony] Evers’s office to prepare for any outcome in this case, and I have spoken with the Governor this afternoon and offered support and any assistance needed to ensure public safety.'
Vice President Kamala Harris made brief remarks to reporters on the verdict, saying it 'really speaks for itself. As many of you know, I've spent a majority of my career working to make the criminal justice system more equitable. And, clearly, there's a lot more work to do,' the former prosecutor said.
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson championed the verdict. 'I believe justice has been served in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. I hope everyone can accept the
