President Trump has shut down rumors of a potential pardon for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in George Floyd’s death. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s recent petition calling for Chauvin’s release has ignited fierce debate about justice, police accountability, and whether political pressure tainted the controversial case.
At a glance:
• President Trump said he is “not considering” and “hasn’t heard about” pardoning Derek Chauvin
• Ben Shapiro launched a petition claiming Chauvin was “unjustly convicted” in what he called the “defining achievement of the Woke movement”
• Chauvin is serving 22.5 years for second-degree murder after kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes
• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized Shapiro’s pardon efforts as showing “blatant disrespect for the law”
• A presidential pardon would only affect Chauvin’s federal charges, not his state conviction, meaning he would remain imprisoned
Trump Dismisses Pardon Consideration
President Donald Trump has firmly rejected the idea of pardoning Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer serving time for George Floyd’s murder. When asked about potentially pardoning Chauvin during a recent interview, Trump responded, “No, I haven’t even heard about it, I haven’t heard that.”
The question arose after conservative commentator Ben Shapiro initiated a petition calling for Chauvin’s release, claiming the conviction was politically motivated rather than based on evidence. Shapiro has characterized the case as the “defining achievement of the Woke movement in American politics.”
Despite growing support for the petition among some conservatives, Trump’s disinterest suggests the former president isn’t willing to wade into this controversial issue. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison after kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes during a 2020 arrest.
A conservative website is calling for President Trump to pardon Derek Chauvin, arguing that the former Minneapolis police officer was wrongly convicted of killing George Floyd in a case that galvanized the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and riots. https://t.co/zWe7C3eznj
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 7, 2025
Conservatives Divided on Pardon Push
The push for Chauvin’s pardon has created a rift among conservatives, with some supporting Shapiro’s petition while others argue it would be politically disastrous. Rob Smith, a conservative commentator and Trump supporter, criticized Shapiro’s suggestion, saying “It is absolutely destructive. It makes no sense.”
Shapiro has argued that the evidence doesn’t support a murder conviction, pointing to Floyd’s medical condition and drug use. “George Floyd was high on fentanyl; he had a significant pre-existing heart condition. George Floyd was saying he could not breathe before he was even out of the car,” Shapiro stated in his petition.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who oversaw Chauvin’s prosecution, has denounced the pardon efforts as disrespectful to both the law and Floyd’s family. The case was thoroughly examined by a jury who found Chauvin guilty based on video evidence and expert testimony.
Despite appeals by Chauvin’s attorneys citing media influence and procedural errors, higher courts have upheld the conviction. Both the official autopsy and an independent examination ruled Floyd’s death a homicide, though they differed on contributing factors.
Pardon’s Limited Impact
Legal experts note that even if Trump were to issue a pardon, it would only apply to Chauvin’s federal convictions for violating Floyd’s civil rights. This would not affect his state murder conviction, meaning Chauvin would remain in prison regardless of a presidential pardon.
Chauvin is currently serving his sentence in a federal prison in Texas after being transferred from Arizona following a stabbing incident in November 2023. The former officer was initially held in a maximum-security facility in Minnesota before being moved to the federal system.
Something to think about.”
That’s how Musk responded to the idea of Trump’s pardoning Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd.
Musk posted those four words to his nearly 220 million followers on Tuesday, along with a video from the… pic.twitter.com/rOtx6gq11u— Russell Shaw (@therussellshaw) March 6, 2025
Floyd’s death in May 2020 sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and “systemic racism.” The incident was captured on video by bystanders, showing Chauvin restraining Floyd with his knee.
Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to more than the recommended 12.5 years, citing the officer’s abuse of his position of authority and the cruelty of his actions. The case remains politically charged, with both sides continuing to debate the fairness of the trial.
