‘The Jury System Works’: President Biden Says He ‘Stands By’ Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict

Shelby Talcott and Anders HagstromNovember 19, 2021

President Joe Biden stands by the jury’s decision to acquit Kyle Rittenhouse of all charges, the president told reporters in response to a question from the Daily Caller.

A jury in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Friday acquitted Rittenhouse of all five charges related to his August 2020 shooting of three men during a violent protest. The Caller’s senior White House correspondent Shelby Talcott asked Biden for his reaction at the White House. (RELATED: Rep. Karen Bass Believes Rittenhouse Trial Is Steeped In Racism)

“I just heard a moment ago. I didn’t watch the trial, so I — you know … I stand by what the jury has concluded,” Biden said. “The jury system works and we have to abide by it.”

Pres. Biden, on Rittenhouse verdict and whether he stands by equating him to white supremacy, tells me:

“I just heard a moment ago. I didn’t watch the trial, so I, you know…I stand by what the jury has concluded. The jury system works and we have to abide by it.”

— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) November 19, 2021

MOMENTS AGO: “I didn’t watch the trial,” President Joe Biden said before he was asked whether he stands by his past comments connecting Rittenhouse to white supremacy. “I stand by what the jury has concluded. The jury system works and we have to abide by it.” pic.twitter.com/M3SxMHzmw4

— WISN 12 NEWS (@WISN12News) November 19, 2021

Biden previously suggested Rittenhouse a “white supremacist” in 2020 immediately following the shooting. White House press secretary Jen Psaki dodged questions on the issue earlier this week.

Rittenhouse killed two men and injured a third in 2020 in what has now been determined to be self defense. The incident took place during unrest in Kenosha following the death of Jacob Blake. The small Wisconsin town erupted into violence, and Rittenhouse, then 17 years old, brought an AR-15 to the scene in an attempt to defend a local store.

An altercation later ensued between Rittenhouse and Joseph Rosenbaum, with Rosenbaum chasing Rittenhouse and lunging for his weapon after shouting “fuck you,” according to witness testimony. Rittenhouse then shot Rosenbaum four times, killing him.

Two other men, Anthony Huber and Gaige Grosskreutz, began chasing Rittenhouse away from the scene moments later. Huber struck Rittenhouse in the head with a skateboard, and Rittenhouse responded with shots, killing Huber. Grosskreutz approached and, according to his own testimony, pointed a gun at Rittenhouse, and Rittenhouse fired once, hitting Grosskreutz in the arm.

Two of Rittenhouse’s charges carried a maximum sentence of 12.5 years in prison, two more carried maximums of 60 years, and the last carried a maximum of a life sentence.