A high-ranking spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office has been caught on a hidden camera expressing strong criticism of District Attorney Alvin Bragg's prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
According to The New York Post, Nicholas Biase, the chief spokesman, was recorded describing the case against Trump as "nonsense" and accusing Bragg of conducting "lawfare" for political gain.
The secret recordings, made on July 31 and August 14, 2024, were released by conservative podcaster Steven Crowder on social media. In the footage, Biase is seen conversing with an unidentified woman at what appears to be a bar, unaware that he was being recorded. The spokesman's candid remarks have shed light on potential internal disagreements within the justice system regarding the high-profile case against the former president.
In the recorded conversation, Biase, who claims to have known Bragg for 15 years and previously worked with him, did not mince words when discussing the hush money case against Trump. He described the prosecution as a "perversion of justice" and suggested that Bragg's motivations were politically driven rather than based on legal merit.
Biase accused the Manhattan District Attorney's office of manipulating charges to build a case against Trump. He expressed concern that the prosecutor might attempt to imprison the former president, predicting that such an outcome would be "ugly." The spokesman's comments reflect a stark contrast between his public role and his private opinions on this high-profile case.
The Department of Justice official also speculated about Bragg's future political ambitions, suggesting that the Trump prosecution was a means to gain public recognition. Biase's remarks imply a belief that the case has more to do with advancing Bragg's career than serving justice.
Biase's critique extended beyond the Manhattan case, encompassing other state-level prosecutions against Trump. He described the justice system at the state level as "the Wild West," implying a lack of restraint and professionalism compared to federal proceedings.
The spokesman highlighted the absence of certain federal rules at the state level, particularly the 90-day rule that restricts decisions on cases that could affect an election. This comparison suggests a belief that state-level prosecutions are more susceptible to political influence and less bound by ethical constraints.
Biase also commented on the separate civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump. He argued that the practices Trump was accused of were common among New York real estate professionals and that the prosecution was unprecedented and unjust.
The leaked recordings raise questions about the unity of opinion within law enforcement agencies regarding high-profile political cases. Biase's comments, if accurately represented, indicate a significant rift between federal and state-level perspectives on the prosecution of former President Trump.
These revelations could potentially impact public perception of the ongoing legal proceedings against Trump. The suggestion that a high-ranking official in the Department of Justice views the state's case as politically motivated might lend credence to claims of unfair treatment by Trump and his supporters.
Nicholas Biase stated in his apology:
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. I said these things in an effort to please and impress someone I just met, who was secretly filming me. 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.
The incident serves as a reminder of the sensitive nature of ongoing legal proceedings and the potential consequences of private opinions being made public, especially for those in positions of authority within the justice system.
