Robert De Niro, the veteran actor, along with two Capitol Police officers, made an appearance outside a New York City courthouse on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The occasion was the trial of ex-President Donald Trump, who was facing charges related to hush-money allegations. A vocal opponent of Trump, De Niro seized the opportunity to deliver a strong political message in support of President Joe Biden’s campaign.

De Niro did not mince words in expressing his disapproval of Trump, whom he deemed a threat to democracy. “I cherish this city and have no desire to see it ruined. Donald Trump, on the other hand, seeks to wreak havoc not just on the city, but on the entire country, and potentially, the world,” said De Niro, addressing Trump and his supporters who were present at the scene and voicing anti-Biden sentiments.

The actor continued his speech amidst a hostile crowd of Trump supporters who were shouting derogatory comments. De Niro emphasized the importance of casting a vote for Biden to safeguard the democratic process.

Joining De Niro were Harry Dunn, an ex-Capitol Police officer, and Michael Fanone, a former police officer from Washington, D.C., both witnesses to the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. Their presence served as a stark reminder of the violence of that day and the potential risks they believe Trump still represents.

Dunn and Fanone recounted their personal experiences from January 6, underlining the physical and psychological impact of the riot. Fanone, who experienced a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury during the violence, said, “This violence was fueled by Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen. We need to wake up and defeat Trump at the ballot box.”

Reiterating these concerns, De Niro warned that a second Trump term could threaten American freedoms. “We New Yorkers used to put up with him when he was just another shady real estate dealer pretending to be important,” De Niro said. “But this city is quite forgiving. We tolerate clowns, but not someone like Trump, who will ultimately ruin the country.”

De Niro’s political involvement extends to his contribution to a Biden-Harris campaign advertisement. This ad underscores the violence and disorder associated with Trump’s tenure as president. “It highlights Trump’s use of violence and serves as a reminder that he will resort to it against anyone who opposes his egotism and greed,” De Niro stated. “However, it’s the violence of a coward.”

The decision to deploy De Niro, Dunn, and Fanone to the courthouse was a strategic move by the Biden campaign. As per the Associated Press, the campaign aimed to use the extensive media coverage of Trump’s trial to shift focus towards the January 6th insurrection and the broader threats posed by Trump.

The Trump campaign, however, dismissed the event as a political maneuver. Jason Miller, a senior adviser, ridiculed the Biden campaign’s efforts, saying, “The best they can do is roll out a washed-up actor.” Another spokesperson for Trump alleged that the Biden team was in “complete freakout mode” over Trump’s resilience in the polls despite his multiple legal challenges.

The sharp exchanges and conflicting views underscore the ongoing political tension and the high stakes of the impending election. De Niro’s fervent appeal for voters to back Biden underscores the deep divides and urgent calls for action from both factions.

Despite the blaring car alarms and continuing chants, De Niro’s concluding words echoed with urgency: “The only way to preserve our freedoms and hold onto our humanity is to vote for Joe Biden for president. Really. We don’t have a choice.”