Biden watching Derek Chauvin verdict from West Wing

President Biden will be watching the jury read its verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, from the West Wing, according to CNN.

The jury reached a verdict in the trial earlier on Tuesday after deliberating since Monday afternoon. The prosecution and defense wrapped up their closing arguments in the week-long trial Monday.

The president is expected to deliver remarks later Tuesday, but it is unclear when.

One White House official told CNN the country can expect to “hear from the president as soon as it’s appropriate.”

During jury deliberations on Tuesday, Biden told reporters in the Oval Office that he is “praying the verdict is the right verdict,” while adding that he thinks the evidence presented against Chauvin in the case is “overwhelming.”

The comments prompted backlash from conservatives, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said he felt the remarks were inappropriate and could result in a mistrial in the case. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki wouldn’t further expand on what the president meant by the comments when pressed during a briefing afterward on Tuesday.

“The president has been clearly watching the trial closely as many Americans have been. He was also moved by his convos with the family yesterday,” Psaki said at the time. “The jury is sequestered which is why he spoke to this but I will expect that he will weigh in further once there is a verdict.”

Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the case.

News of the scheduled verdict comes as cities and states across the country have been taking security measures to brace for potential unrest in the event Chauvin is found not guilty on all charges.