Top DOJ official tries to walk back remarks that Trump witch hunt is ‘mockery of justice’
A New York Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman says the lawfare being waged against President Donald Trump is a “mockery of justice,” according to recently released footage.
Nicholas Biase unwittingly made the remarks to an undercover reporter working with Steven Crowder’s Mug Club Undercover. Biase serves as the chief of public affairs for the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and is a former colleague of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Bragg’s indictments against Trump resulted in the president's conviction on 34 felony counts in May.
‘The case is nonsense’
In the footage released Thursday, Biase is seen on hidden camera criticizing Bragg’s “case.”
“To be honest with you, I think the case is nonsense,” Biase told the undercover reporter, who the DOJ official appeared to consider a date.
He went on to slam Bragg, who he said was “stacking charges [against Trump] and, like, rearranging things just to make it fit a case.”
“He wants to be something . . . a mayor? I’m not sure what he wants to be, but I know he’s not happy just being the DA of New York County. Before he decided to prosecute Trump, did you know who he was? You do now,” Biase said.
‘They’re so obsessed’
In another clip, the DOJ official predicted that “[Bragg] is probably gonna try to lock [Trump] up.”
“It’s going to be ugly. They’re so obsessed with getting him.”
“Who is they?” the reporter asked.
“The Democrats,” Biase replied.
On another occasion, Biase noted that Trump’s convictions have only increased his popularity.
“Those felonies did nothing to stop Trump from running,” he said. “In fact, they made him more relevant.”
‘A mockery of justice’
Other footage shows the DOJ official condemning New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought her own case against Trump.
“Every real estate person in New York does what he [Trump] did. Nobody’s ever been charged with this . . . You know, it’s a perversion of justice.”
He had similar words for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who also indicted Trump.
“To put it mildly, it’s a mockery of justice. She is a joke … The whole thing is disgusting. They’re just out to get him [Trump],” he said.
DOJ official apologizes
After the footage was released, Biase tried to walk back his remarks.
“I was recently made aware of a video where I regretfully made some statements in a private and social setting that don’t reflect my views about two local and state prosecutions,” he said in a statement. “I said these things in an effort to please and impress someone I just met, who was secretly filming me,” he added. “I’m deeply sorry to the local and state law enforcement officials working on these matters, who deserve more respect than I showed them. I should have known better.”
