US President Joe Biden called Donald Trump’s comments about his “rigged” conviction “reckless” during his first public remarks about the guilty verdict.

Mr Biden defended the justice system after the former US president was convicted on Thursday in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

His comments came on Friday afternoon at the top of a news conference where he discussed the Middle East and a new Israeli proposal for Gaza.

“The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed,” he said of Thursday’s verdict.

Mr Biden went on to say that Trump was given “every opportunity” to defend himself and be heard by a jury of 12 American citizens.

“Now, he’ll be given the opportunity, as he should, to appeal that decision just like everyone else has that opportunity,” he said. “That’s how the American system of justice works.”

“And it’s reckless. It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” he added.

Mr Biden defended the justice system calling it the “cornerstone of America”.

“The justice system should be respected and we should never allow anyone to tear it down. It’s as simple as that. That’s America. That’s who we are,” he said.

The Democratic presidential candidate took to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday to post a fundraising link to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising tool.

“Donald Trump is threatening our democracy. First, he questioned our election system. Then, he questioned our judicial system. And now, you can stop him,” he posted.

The Biden campaign also pushed out fundraising requests following Trump’s guilty verdict on Thursday in an effort to grow the Democratic candidate’s coffers.

“If you have been waiting for the perfect time to make your first donation to Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, we’re here to tell you today is the day,” one text message blast read.

Trump’ campaign launched its own fundraising spree, claiming to raise more than $34 million since the guilty verdict as of Friday afternoon.

The Biden campaign quickly responded to Trump’s guilty verdict on Thursday evening, encouraging people to vote in November.

“Today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president,” Biden-Harris campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement.