Biden says verdict against Chauvin is a step towards racial justice

Joe Biden speaks to the country after verdict against Chauvin 12:03

(CNN) -

President Joe Biden said Tuesday the country could take a step toward racial justice after a jury found former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin guilty of killing George Floyd in a closely followed case. around the world.

In his first comments since the verdict, Biden called the decision "a giant step toward justice in America."

However, he added that much more needs to be done.

Calling systematic racism "a stain on the soul of our nation," Biden said he was encouraged by the jury's verdict, the testimony of other police officers against Chauvin during the trial, and the collective understanding of the reality of racism. systemic around the world since Floyd's death.

• Derek Chauvin found guilty of all charges in George Floyd's death

However, Biden acknowledged that none of this process, or the fact that Chauvin was found guilty, would bring Floyd back to life.

«Nothing can bring back his brother, his father.

But, this can be a big step towards justice in the United States, ”said Biden.

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The president added that the verdict in this case is "too unusual" and at the same time "insufficient."

Derek Chauvin, convicted of all charges 8:55

“For many people it seems that a unique and extraordinary convergence of factors was needed.

A brave young woman with a smartphone camera.

A crowd that was traumatized, "Biden said, adding that the murder lasted" almost 10 minutes. "

“Black men, especially, have been treated throughout our history as less than human.

Their lives must be valued in our nation.

End point, ”added Biden.

US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke before Biden and said that congressmen must now adopt a law that will reform the police in the United States.

Which he called part of Floyd's legacy.

Kamala Harris reacts to the verdict against Derek Chauvin 2:45

Today we can breathe a sigh of relief.

Still, the pain cannot be eliminated.

A measure of justice is not the same as equality of justice, ”Harris said.

The White House said Biden, Harris and staff watched the verdict from the White House's private dining room.

A senior administration official described the reaction inside the dining room as "collective exaltation."

Of all places.

Later, it was recognized that much more work needs to be done.

But overall, a general sense of relief. '

After the verdict was announced, Biden, Harris and the first lady, Jill Biden, spoke with George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, from the Oval Office.

Biden also spoke with Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

• Derek Chauvin's Guilty Charges Explained

In his call to Floyd's family, Biden said: "Nothing is going to improve everything, but at least now there is some justice."

He said he would bring the family to the White House and quoted Floyd's daughter, Gianna, who told Biden - at her father's funeral - that he would change the world.

"He's going to start changing it now," Biden said on the call.

The president added that the verdict could "be our first chance to deal with ... systemic racism."

"We were watching every second of this," he told the family about the trial.

"We are all so relieved."

Harris added: "History will look at this moment and see it as a turning point."

Woman demands justice for deaths at the hands of the police 1:33

In light of an impending verdict at the trial, comments that were planned for the president on the American Jobs plan were rescheduled and a new speech was arranged.

Different language was prepared for the various possible outcomes of the verdict, although all versions acknowledged the outpouring caused by Floyd's death.

Attendees worked on the language of a presidential statement over the course of the past week.

Biden called on the country to continue to listen to the cries of activists who have raised alarms about police brutality in the months after Floyd's death.

We have to listen.

I can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

Those were George Floyd's last words.

We can't let those words die with him.

We have to keep listening to those words.

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This is how they celebrated in Minneapolis, at the intersection of 38th Avenue and Chicago Avenue, the site of George Floyd's death in May 2020. (Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

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People react outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis after the news (Credit: CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)

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Adi Armor cries at the verdict in Milwaukee.

(Credit: Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Imagn Content Services)

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People celebrate as the verdict in Derek Chauvin's trial is announced outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

(Credit: CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)

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People take to the streets in Minneapolis after reading the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.

(Credit: Scott Olson / Getty Images)

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This is how they reacted outside the Hennepin County Government Center after the jury's decision in the case against Derek Chauvin was known.

(Credit: Scott Olson / Getty Images)

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A group of people embrace as the verdict is announced in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

(Credit: Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images)

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A person celebrates the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on April 20, 2021 in Washington.

(Credit: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images)

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Representatives Cori Bush and Ayanna Pressley embrace as members of the Congressional Black Caucus address a press conference following the verdict in the George Floyd death trial.

(Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

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A man celebrates as the verdict is announced outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

(Credit: Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images)

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The hugs multiplied outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

(Credit: Carlos Barria / Reuters)

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In Houston, Texas, neighbors also reacted to the verdict.

(Credit: Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images)

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In Brooklyn, New York, the reading of the jury's verdict was also followed closely.

(Credit: Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

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A young woman reacts to the verdict in Minneapolis.

(Credit: Adrees Latif / Reuters)

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People celebrate in Minneapolis at the place where George Floyd was killed.

(Credit: Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

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People also celebrated the verdict in Minneapolis' George Floyd Plaza.

(Credit: Octavio Jones / Reuters)

Hours earlier this Tuesday, Biden said he was "praying that the verdict is correct."

He also hinted that there was ample evidence for the jury to consider as they determine whether Chauvin is guilty of Floyd's murder.

"It's overwhelming, in my opinion," Biden said in the Oval Office, where he was meeting with Hispanic congressmen.

"I wouldn't say that unless the jury was isolated."

CNN's Phil Mattingly, Jeff Zeleny, Kevin Liptak, Allison Malloy and Jason Hoffman contributed to this report.

Derek Chauvin, George Floyd, Joe Biden