Manhattan US Attorney"s spokesman regrets Trump hush money comments

A spokesman for the Manhattan US Attorney's office, Nicholas Biase, issued an apology after a secretly recorded video surfaced, in which he criticized the hush money case against Donald Trump. The video, released by conservative podcaster Steven Crowder, featured Biase making disparaging remarks about the case, calling it 'nonsense' and a 'perversion of justice.' Biase stated that his comments were made in a private setting to impress someone he had just met, and he expressed regret for not showing respect to local and state law enforcement officials involved in the case. The recording included Biase's claims that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was manipulating charges to fit the case against Trump. Although Biase has known Bragg for 15 years, he clarified that he does not work for the DA's office and was not involved in the prosecution. The video was edited into soundbites and shared by Crowder's 'Mug Club,' which has a known political agenda. The context of the case involves Trump being charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, related to a hush money scheme aimed at influencing the 2016 presidential election. Trump was found guilty of all charges in May 2023, and his sentencing is currently scheduled for September 18, 2023. Trump has claimed that the prosecution is politically motivated, alleging that the Biden administration is weaponizing the Department of Justice against him. Biase's comments have sparked controversy, highlighting the tensions surrounding the case and the political implications of the prosecution. His apology reflects the challenges faced by public officials in navigating sensitive political issues while maintaining professional integrity.