Is a presidential pardon about to unravel justice for George Floyd? Can one man’s decision reignite the flames of 2020’s unrest, and what does it mean for your community’s trust in the system?

On May 14, 2025, speculation that President Donald Trump might pardon Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering Floyd, has exploded, prompting Minnesota officials to brace for potential riots and drawing fierce backlash from leaders like Attorney General Keith Ellison.

As the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death looms, this breaking controversy—fueled by conservative calls for clemency—demands urgent attention, threatening to reshape racial justice, public safety, and constitutional boundaries for every American.

Breaking News: Minnesota on Edge Over Pardon Speculation

The rumors, reported by KSTP and amplified by Newsweek, stem from a conservative push led by commentator Ben Shapiro, who launched a pardonderek.com petition in March 2025, claiming Chauvin’s conviction was a “woke” injustice.

Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Ellison, were briefed on May 13, 2025, about possible civil unrest if Trump pardons Chauvin’s federal conviction.

Ellison, in a May 12 MSNBC interview, slammed the idea as “disrespect for George Floyd and the rule of law,” noting Trump’s pardon power only applies to Chauvin’s 21-year federal sentence for civil rights violations, not his 22.5-year state sentence for second-degree murder, per Hindustan Times.

Trump, denying plans in a March 7, 2025, Oval Office statement, said, “No, I haven’t even heard about it,” despite right-wing figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene joining Shapiro’s call. Walz, on May 13, told reporters, “It behooves us to be prepared,” confirming the Minnesota National Guard is on alert, per the Star Tribune.

Timeline: How We Got Here

• May 25, 2020: Derek Chauvin kneels on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes during an arrest for a counterfeit $20 bill, leading to Floyd’s death, captured on video. Nationwide protests erupt, sparking a global Black Lives Matter movement, with $2 billion in property damage, per Hindustan Times. Trump condemns the act, saying, “All Americans were rightly sickened,” per the Daily Beast.
• June 3, 2020: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison amends charges against Chauvin to include second-degree murder, setting bail at $1.25 million, per Wikipedia.
• April 2021: A Minnesota jury convicts Chauvin of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter, sentencing him to 22.5 years, per CNN.
• December 2021: Chauvin pleads guilty to federal civil rights violations in Floyd’s death and a 2017 incident involving a 14-year-old, receiving a 21-year concurrent sentence, per Justice Department.
• August 2022: Chauvin is transferred to FCI Tucson, a federal prison in Arizona, from Minnesota’s Oak Park Heights, per Wikipedia.
• November 2023: Chauvin is stabbed 22 times at FCI Tucson, prompting a transfer to FCI Big Spring, Texas, a low-security prison, per Scripps News.
• 2023: The U.S. Supreme Court rejects Chauvin’s state conviction appeal, solidifying his 22.5-year term, per CNN.
• January 21, 2025: Trump pardons 1,500 January 6 rioters and two D.C. officers convicted in Karon Hylton-Brown’s 2020 killing, fueling speculation about Chauvin, per Patch.
• March 4, 2025: Shapiro launches a pardon petition, amplified by Elon Musk on X, claiming Chauvin’s trial was unfair due to media pressure and Floyd’s health conditions, per Newsweek.
• March 7, 2025: Trump denies pardon plans, saying, “I haven’t heard of that,” per Star Tribune.
• May 12, 2025: Ellison tells MSNBC a federal pardon won’t free Chauvin, who “still owes Minnesota 22.5 years,” per Law and Crime.
• May 13, 2025: KSTP reports Minnesota officials, including Walz and Frey, prepare for unrest, with the National Guard briefed, per Star Tribune.
• May 14, 2025: Greene joins the pardon push, falsely claiming Floyd died of an overdose, prompting protests, per the Daily Beast.

Clemency Power Meets Justice

The possibility of a presidential pardon for Derek Chauvin raises several important constitutional issues that highlight the tension between legal authority and public accountability. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the president has the power to grant pardons and reprieves for federal offenses. This means that Donald Trump, if he chooses, could lawfully pardon Chauvin for his 21-year federal sentence stemming from civil rights violations related to George Floyd’s death.

However, this authority has clear boundaries. It does not extend to state-level convictions. Chauvin is also serving a 22.5-year sentence from the state of Minnesota for second-degree murder, a state crime. That sentence would remain unaffected by a presidential pardon. In practical terms, even if Chauvin were pardoned at the federal level, he would still remain incarcerated under the state conviction — unless separately granted clemency by Minnesota authorities.

Beyond the basic legal mechanics, deeper constitutional values come into play. The Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause guarantees fair procedures and protections for individuals in the justice system — including both defendants and victims. While a pardon is entirely legal under the Constitution, critics argue that exercising this power in high-profile, emotionally charged cases can conflict with the broader principles of fairness and justice. For families like George Floyd’s, a federal pardon might feel like a denial of due process, even if it’s procedurally valid. It risks sending a message that executive power can override a sense of moral accountability.

Then there’s Article I, which lays out the powers of Congress. Importantly, Congress has no formal check on presidential pardons — it cannot veto or block them. However, it does retain oversight and investigatory powers, and in theory could hold hearings or issue public statements criticizing a controversial use of the pardon power. That said, such actions are symbolic; they cannot reverse a pardon. This creates a constitutional asymmetry: the executive can act unilaterally, while the legislative branch can only respond rhetorically.

Community Impact of a Chauvin Pardon

Public Safety Concerns

Minneapolis has experienced fluctuations in violent crime rates over recent years. While there was a decrease in violent crime in 2023, certain areas, such as Ward 8, saw significant increases in reported crime between 2019 and 2024 . A high-profile pardon could potentially lead to renewed protests, which in the past have sometimes escalated into unrest, straining local law enforcement resources and affecting community safety.

Economic Implications

The 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death resulted in significant economic costs, with insured losses estimated between $1 billion and $2 billion nationwide . Such events can lead to property damage, business closures, and increased insurance premiums, impacting local economies and potentially leading to higher taxes to cover public expenses related to unrest.

Erosion of Public Trust

Public trust in federal institutions has been on the decline. As of 2024, only about 23% of Americans reported trusting the federal government, a decrease from previous years . A controversial pardon could further erode confidence in the justice system, especially among communities seeking accountability and reform.

Racial Justice and Community Sentiment

Despite the widespread attention to racial inequality after George Floyd’s death, a majority of Americans believe that this focus has not led to significant improvements for Black Americans . A pardon for Chauvin might be perceived by many as a setback in the pursuit of racial justice, potentially deepening societal divisions and feelings of disenfranchisement.

Pardon or Peace?

The decision to grant a pardon carries weighty implications beyond the legal realm. It can influence public perception, community relations, and the broader societal pursuit of justice and equality. Communities may need to prepare for various outcomes, considering both the immediate and long-term effects on social cohesion and trust in institutions.