Minnesota officials are bracing for potential civil unrest based solely on unconfirmed rumors that President Trump might pardon Derek Chauvin, despite Trump clearly stating he hasn’t even considered the possibility.
Key Takeaways
- Democratic Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, are preparing for potential unrest over a Derek Chauvin pardon that President Trump has never indicated he’s considering
- Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized that Chauvin would still serve his 22.5-year state sentence regardless of any federal pardon
- Chauvin would be transferred from federal prison in Texas to a Minnesota state facility if any federal pardon occurred
- Conservative commentators argue Chauvin’s conviction was influenced by jury intimidation and political pressure
- Despite no credible intelligence supporting pardon rumors, state officials continue fueling speculation
Democratic Officials Prepare for Hypothetical Scenario
Minnesota Democratic officials are actively preparing contingency plans for a scenario President Trump has explicitly stated he isn’t considering. Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state leaders have announced preparations for potential civil unrest should Derek Chauvin receive a presidential pardon. This proactive stance comes despite Trump’s clear statement when asked about pardoning the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in George Floyd’s death: “No, I have not heard about that,” said President Trump.
Governor Walz, who notably served as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election, has been particularly vocal about these preparations despite the lack of evidence that such a pardon is being considered. “No indication whether they’re going to do it, or not, but I think it behooves us to be prepared for it. With this presidency, it seems like something they would do,” said Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.
State Charges Would Keep Chauvin Imprisoned
Minnesota officials have emphasized that even if President Trump were to pardon Chauvin for his federal civil rights violations, the former officer would remain imprisoned on his state murder conviction. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has confirmed plans to transfer Chauvin from his current federal prison in Texas back to Minnesota to serve his remaining state sentence if any federal pardon occurs. This dual conviction situation means that presidential clemency would only affect one portion of Chauvin’s legal status.
“He still owes Minnesota 22-and-a-half years. And, he’s going to do it either in Minnesota or somewhere, but he’s not getting out,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Commissioner of Public Safety Toddrick Barnette further clarified that there is “no credible intelligence” indicating either a planned pardon or potential civil disruptions. Nevertheless, officials maintain that their preparedness stance is justified given the volatile nature of the case that originally sparked nationwide protests and property damage in 2020. The messaging strategy appears designed to both reassure communities while simultaneously raising awareness about a scenario that has no current indication of materializing.
Conservative Support for Chauvin Pardon
Despite President Trump’s statements indicating no consideration of a Chauvin pardon, some conservative voices have advocated for clemency. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has expressed support for pardoning Chauvin, and an online petition exists calling for presidential intervention. These advocates argue that external factors compromised the fairness of Chauvin’s trial, including threats of further rioting if he wasn’t convicted.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has argued that Chauvin’s conviction was influenced by jury and political intimidation, saying, “If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota.”
The debate highlights a deep national divide over Chauvin’s case, with conservative viewpoints emphasizing concerns about due process and trial fairness, while Democratic officials focus on the potential public safety implications of any federal action. Meanwhile, Minneapolis is simultaneously anticipating a potential petition from the Department of Justice to end the consent decree over Minneapolis Police Department reforms, which the city plans to challenge – suggesting broader tensions between federal and local authorities over policing standards.
