As the nation continues to grapple with the repercussions of the 2020 killing of George Floyd, a new wave of speculation has emerged surrounding the potential pardon of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of Floyd's murder. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, alongside other Democratic leaders, has publicly expressed concerns over the possibility, despite President Donald Trump's dismissal of such speculation.
In recent statements, Gov. Walz, who once ran on the presidential ticket with Kamala Harris, addressed the media, suggesting that a pardon from Trump's administration, while not indicated, would not be entirely unexpected. "With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do," Walz commented, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
This speculation arises despite President Trump's own admission that he has not considered a pardon for Chauvin. When questioned by reporters at the White House in March, Trump responded, "No, I haven’t even heard about it." The Department of Justice also informed The New York Post that they were unaware of any plans for a Chauvin pardon.
The political discourse, fueled by speculation, overlooks a crucial legal detail: Derek Chauvin faces convictions at both federal and state levels. A presidential pardon would only affect federal charges, leaving state convictions untouched. Consequently, even if pardoned federally, Chauvin would be transferred from federal custody to continue serving his 22-and-a-half-year sentence in a Minnesota state prison.
Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette echoed the preparations for potential developments, emphasizing the overhaul of the city's emergency management plans as a precautionary measure. Despite no credible intelligence of a pardon or planned disruptions, authorities remain vigilant.
Chauvin, now 49, was convicted in April 2021 by a Minnesota state court on second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. His imprisonment began at Minnesota's Oak Park Heights prison and, following an inmate assault in 2023, he was transferred to a federal facility in Big Spring, Texas.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution against Chauvin, reaffirmed the limitations of a federal pardon on MSNBC, stating, "Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in front of the whole world. Trump has no power to pardon Chauvin’s state conviction. None." Ellison emphasized that Chauvin's state sentence must be served, regardless of federal actions.
The discussion has not been limited to political figures. Public commentary has included support for Chauvin's release from individuals like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who tweeted her support for a pardon, claiming that "George Floyd died of a drug overdose." Elon Musk and other commentators have also engaged in the public debate over Chauvin's potential pardon.
Some argue that a federal pardon could aid Chauvin in appealing his state conviction. Jack Posobiec, a commentator, suggests on Twitter that evidence, such as Floyd’s heart condition, not fully explored during the trial, could be significant in a new trial.
Despite the heightened speculation and the political ripples it has caused, the reality remains that Chauvin's fate is largely sealed by his state conviction. With a projected release date from state prison set for December 10, 2035, and from federal custody on November 18, 2037, the discussions of a pardon may be more about political posturing than a change in Chauvin's incarceration status.
