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Derek Chauvin verdict reactions

A jury found the former police officer guilty in the death of George Floyd.

Last Updated: April 20, 2021, 7:49 PM EDT

People across the United States responded to the guilty verdict that was reached in the murder trial of former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged in the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin was found guilty on all counts.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Apr 20, 2021, 7:49 PM EDT

Biden, Harris deliver address from the White House

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reacted to the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial in an address from the White House.

Biden called the guilty verdict a "giant step forward in the march toward justice in America" and commended the witnesses who testified, including police officers.

"Most men and women who wear the badge serve their communities honorably. Those few who failed to meet that standard must be held accountable, and they were today. One was," Biden said. "No one should be above the law. And today's verdict sends that message."

President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks, April 20, 2021, at the White House, after former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
Evan Vucci/AP

"But it's not enough," he continued. "We can't stop here. In order to deliver a real change in reform, we can and we must do more to reduce the likelihood that tragedy like this will ever happen to occur again." 

Harris called the verdict a step forward in law enforcement reform.

"A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice," she said. "We still have work to do."

Harris said she and Biden will continue to urge the Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

"Black men are fathers and brothers and sons and uncles and grandfathers and friends and neighbors," she said. "Their lives must be valued in our education system, in our health care system, in our housing system, in our economic system, in our criminal justice system, in our nation -- full stop."

Apr 20, 2021, 7:45 PM EDT

Jury 'fulfilled' its duty: Attorney General Merrick Garland

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland weighed on Tuesday's verdict, stating the jury "has fulfilled its civic duty."

"While the state’s prosecution was successful, I know that nothing can fill the void that the loved ones of George Floyd have felt since his death," he said in a statement.

Garland added that the Justice Department's civil rights investigation into Floyd's death is still ongoing.

Apr 20, 2021, 7:11 PM EDT

Biden, Harris call George Floyd's family

Attorney Ben Crump shared a video of President Joe Biden's call to the family of George Floyd following the guilty verdict. 

"Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least now there is some justice," the president said, as the family gathered around Crump's phone.

"I think of Gianna's comment, 'My daddy is going to change the world, he's going to start to change it now," Biden said, referring to Floyd's young daughter. 

Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris have been watching "every second of this," and they were relieved Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts.

"We're going to get a lot more done, we're going to do a lot," Biden said. "We're going to stay at it till we get it done."

To that, Crump said, "Hopefully this is the momentum for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to get passed to have you sign!"  

"You got it pal, that and a lot more," Biden replied. "This can be our first shot at dealing with genuine systemic racism."

Biden then turned the phone over to Harris.

"I'm just so thankful to the entire family, your courage ... your strength," Harris said. 

"This is a day of justice in America," Harris said. "We really do believe that with your leadership and the president that we have in the White House, that we're going to make something good come out of this tragedy, OK?"

"Thank you, Madam Vice President," the family said.

Biden promised to bring the family to the White House on Air Force One "when we do it."

"We're going to hold you to that, President Biden!" Crump shouted. 

ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report.

Apr 20, 2021, 7:58 PM EDT

George Floyd’s brother: ‘Today, we’re able to breathe again’

Philonise Floyd reacted to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
Philonise Floyd reacted to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.

George Floyd's brother says he's "able to breathe again" after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts for Floyd's death.

"I feel relieved," one of his brothers, Philonise Floyd, said at a Tuesday news conference. "A lot of days I prayed and I hoped and I was speaking everything into existence. I said, 'I have faith that he will be convicted.'"

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