Speculation Around Trump Pardon for Chauvin

Recently, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz and other Democratic leaders have sparked discussions regarding the possibility of President Trump pardoning Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in the death of George Floyd. Interestingly, it seems that Trump himself was unaware of any such efforts for a pardon.

A source with ties to the Justice Department reported on Wednesday that he had also not heard of any plans for a pardon for Chauvin.

Despite this lack of information, Waltz, who is aligned with Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign, expressed to reporters that while he has no evidence suggesting that a pardon is forthcoming, “this presidency might do that.”

“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional rights to issue a pardon, whether I agree or disagree, we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve his 22.5 years in a Minnesota prison,” Waltz stated.

Toddrick Burnett, Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner, assured that the city is prepared for any scenario. “Since 2020, we have revised our emergency management plans to account for various contingencies,” he noted.

Even if Trump were to grant Chauvin a pardon, the former officer wouldn’t be released immediately. Chauvin was convicted of Floyd’s murder in both state and federal courts and would likely be transferred to a Minnesota prison.

When a White House reporter inquired about the pardon in March, Trump responded, “No, I haven’t heard of that.”

The public outcry following Floyd’s murder led to extensive protests and significant property damage nationwide, with a local police precinct in Minneapolis being set ablaze by rioters.

Chauvin pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to Floyd’s death in 2021 and was also convicted of state murder and manslaughter charges.

“I really don’t understand why you did what you did,” a federal judge told Chauvin during his sentencing in 2022, condemning his actions as “wrong and aggressive.”

During Trump’s first term, his Justice Department initiated a civil rights investigation into Chauvin.

Some supporters of Trump, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, have urged for Chauvin’s pardon. She expressed her support on social media, stating, “I strongly support Derek Chauvin for pardoning and being released from prison.”