President Biden On Chauvin Trial: Praying For 'Right Verdict'

President Joe Biden became the latest elected official to weigh in on the murder trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

"I'm praying the verdict is the right verdict," Biden told reporters Tuesday. "It's overwhelming in my view."

Biden said he waited to call Floyd's family — and to discuss a possible verdict publicly — until after the jury was sequestered. The jury was sequestered and began deliberating a verdict Monday afternoon.

"They’re a good family, and they’re calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is," Biden said.

The White House has been in touch with Minnesota government officials as a possible verdict nears, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed Monday. Biden will address the nation after the jury delivers their verdict, according to Psaki.

The president's remarks come mere hours after Judge Peter Cahill, who is overseeing Chauvin's trial, chastised United States Rep. Maxine Waters for her comments on the trial.

Waters — a Democrat from California — told rallygoers in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center Saturday that if Chauvin is not found "guilty, guilty, guilty" then protesters should "stay on the street" and "get more active."

"We've got to get more confrontational; we've got to make sure that they know that we mean business," Waters added. Waters was in Minnesota following the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center.

Eric Nelson, Chauvin's defense attorney, asked Judge Peter Cahill to order a mistrial over Waters' comments Monday.

"An elected official — a United States congressperson — was making what I interpreted to be, what I think are reasonably interpreted to be, threats against the sanctity of the jury process," Nelson argued in court.

Cahill said he wished "elected officials would stop talking about this case" because it adds media scrutiny and could sway the jury, who have been instructed not to watch the news.

"I think if they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government," Cahill added.

Cahill ultimately rejected Nelson's motion, but acknowledged that "Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned."

Read more:

• Judge: Chauvin Trial May Be Overturned Due To Rep. Maxine Waters
• Protests Remained Peaceful In Twin Cities Monday: Police
• Read The Jury Instructions Given In The Derek Chauvin Trial

Editor's note: A previous version of this article misquoted President Joe Biden. It has been corrected.