United States lawmakers expressed bipartisan support for Tuesday’s conviction of ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill that the jury’s decision signaled a turning point in American history.
“I think our justice system is getting more just,” said Scott, the Senate’s only black Republican.
“I’m thankful for the verdict and certainly thought it was a murder.”
Scott added: “And so my first thought, or shortly thereafter, is: I believe that this reinforces the fact that while we all may need to grow our confidence in parts of the system, [the] truth of the matter is that this reinforces a commitment that we can have confidence that the justice system is becoming more just.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said, “The defendant, if he doesn’t like the verdict, he can appeal.”
“But this seems to be like a good example of a system working the way that we hope it will,” he added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, “I think they can appeal whether or not he got a fair trial but I told everybody that this is how the system works, I accept the jury’s verdict and leave it up to the court.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the verdict “a step in the right direction for justice.”
“Thank God the jury validated what we saw,” she said during a news conference with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“Thank you, George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice.”
The head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), said, “Guilty on all charges. This is just the first step. We know clearly that justice has been delayed.”
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