Minnesota Democrats are preemptively planning for riots by spreading fears about a Derek Chauvin pardon that Trump has repeatedly denied considering.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota officials, led by Gov. Tim Walz, are preparing crisis management strategies for potential unrest despite no evidence Trump plans to pardon Derek Chauvin
- Trump has explicitly stated, “No, I have not heard about that” when asked about pardoning Chauvin
- Even if federally pardoned, Chauvin would remain imprisoned for his state conviction, serving his 22.5-year sentence in Minnesota
- Some conservatives argue Chauvin’s trial was tainted by political pressure and jury intimidation
- Critics suggest Democrats are stoking fears about a non-existent pardon plan for political purposes
Democrats Prepare for Non-Existent Pardon
Minnesota Democratic officials are raising alarm bells about a potential Derek Chauvin pardon that President Trump has never proposed. Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state leaders have initiated preparations for what they suggest could be widespread civil unrest if Trump pardons the former police officer convicted in George Floyd’s death. These preparations continue despite Trump explicitly stating he has not considered such action when directly questioned by reporters.
“No, I have not heard about that,” President Trump stated when asked about potentially pardoning Chauvin, according to multiple sources. This clear denial hasn’t stopped Minnesota officials from advancing contingency plans and publicly discussing the hypothetical scenario, leading some critics to question whether Democrats are deliberately stoking tensions without cause.
A White House official tells Fox News that the President is not planning to pardon Derek Chauvin. Nothing has changed since Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed this in March. https://t.co/NjRKafObIe
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) May 14, 2025
State Sentence Remains Regardless of Federal Action
A crucial fact repeatedly overlooked in the discussion is that Chauvin faces both state and federal sentences. Any presidential pardon would only affect his federal conviction while leaving his 22.5-year state sentence fully intact. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has confirmed they are prepared to transfer Chauvin from his current federal prison in Texas back to a state facility if necessary. This renders much of the hypothetical crisis planning seemingly unnecessary.
“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,” Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized, making clear that presidential action would not free Chauvin.
Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette has further confirmed there is no credible intelligence indicating a pardon is forthcoming or that any disruptions are being planned. Despite these reassurances, Governor Walz continues to suggest that pardoning Chauvin “seems like something they would do,” without providing any evidence for this claim.
Political Motivations Behind Crisis Preparation
The timing and public nature of these preparations have raised questions about potential political motivations. As Kamala Harris’s 2024 running mate, Governor Walz’s continued speculation about a Trump administration action that has been explicitly denied appears designed to create political tension rather than address a genuine threat. Department of Justice sources have consistently stated they are unaware of any efforts to pardon Chauvin.
“With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do,” Gov. Tim Walz stated, continuing to feed speculation despite Trump’s denials.
Some conservative voices, including commentator Ben Shapiro and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have advocated for pardoning Chauvin, arguing his conviction was influenced by jury intimidation and political pressure. An online petition seeking a pardon exists, though it has not received any official acknowledgment from the Trump administration. The controversy highlights the deep political divisions that continue to surround the case nearly four years after Floyd’s death.
