As rumors intensify about a possible presidential pardon for Derek Chauvin—the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd—state officials and community advocates are voicing serious concerns.
Governor Tim Walz addressed the speculation this week, saying while he doesn’t believe a pardon is imminent, it remains a possibility under the current administration. He encouraged Minnesota to stay vigilant and prepare for any outcome, noting the complexity of Chauvin’s sentencing. “Even if Chauvin’s federal sentence is pardoned, he still has to serve his 22.5-year sentence in state prison,” Walz explained.
Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette also expressed caution. He pointed out that the city has revamped its emergency management strategies since 2020 and is ready to respond to potential unrest if a pardon is issued.
Despite these preparations, many community members and activists are deeply disturbed by the idea.
Michelle Gross, founder of Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), called the potential pardon “outrageous.” She condemned what she sees as a double standard in the justice system, where everyday citizens face consequences for breaking the law, but officers convicted of violent crimes may receive presidential mercy.
Gross also criticized the racial implications, pointing to the current administration’s controversial actions and calling the possible pardon part of a broader political agenda. “It’s incredibly painful for families who already feel let down by the justice system,” she said, describing conversations with those still grappling with Floyd’s killing. “To think that one of the clearest cases of police brutality might end in a pardon is just devastating.”
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota, echoed these concerns. He warned that a pardon would send a damaging message globally—that the U.S. tolerates police violence. Still, he affirmed that Chauvin would remain imprisoned under state charges, likely serving over 30 years. He emphasized the timing of these rumors—coinciding with the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death—as a reminder of the country’s deep divisions.
Chauvin, 49, is currently incarcerated in a federal facility in Big Spring, Texas, serving concurrent sentences for state and federal convictions tied to Floyd’s death. He was moved there in August 2024 after surviving a stabbing at another prison.
As the anniversary of George Floyd’s death approaches, the renewed debate over Chauvin’s fate underscores the ongoing national struggle over justice, police accountability, and public trust.
