President Trump Dismisses Speculation That He Will Pardon Derek Chauvin
President Donald Trump made it clear Friday that he is not considering a pardon for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, following speculation prompted by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, as TTOA previously reported.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated he had not heard about the issue and dismissed any notion that he was weighing such a decision.
“No, I haven’t even heard about it, no. I haven’t heard of that,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of a pardon.
Chauvin, 48, is serving two concurrent sentences—22.5 years on state murder charges and 21 years on federal civil rights charges—stemming from the 2020 death of George Floyd. Floyd, 46, died after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a Minneapolis convenience store.
The widely circulated video of Floyd’s arrest sparked nationwide unrest, with violent protests erupting in major cities. In Minneapolis, rioters set fire to a police precinct, while in Washington, D.C., demonstrators torched the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House and clashed with Secret Service officers.
Shapiro, a well-known conservative media personality, recently called on Trump to pardon Chauvin, arguing that the former officer did not receive a fair trial. He cited public pressure and alternative theories about Floyd’s cause of death as reasons for reconsideration.
“George Floyd was high on fentanyl; he had a significant pre-existing heart condition,” Shapiro said on his radio program Tuesday. “George Floyd was saying he could not breathe before he was even out of the car. He was in the car saying he could not breathe.”
In a letter to Trump, Shapiro wrote that Chauvin’s conviction was “the defining achievement of the Woke movement in American politics” and claimed that “there was no opportunity for blind justice to work.” He argued that the trial was unfairly influenced by political and social pressures.
However, even if Trump were to consider a pardon, he only has the authority to act on Chauvin’s federal conviction. The former officer would still have to serve his state sentence unless Minnesota’s governor intervened, per the New York Post.
The suggestion of a potential pardon divided Trump supporters, with some rejecting the idea outright. Rob Smith, a conservative political commentator and black Trump supporter associated with Turning Point USA, criticized Shapiro’s proposal as unnecessary and harmful.
“It is absolutely destructive. It makes no sense,” Smith said. “Why did Ben Shapiro want to start this conversation right now? Who does this benefit? Doesn’t benefit Trump, doesn’t benefit America, doesn’t benefit race relations, doesn’t benefit anything.”
Chauvin’s case remains one of the most politically and socially charged in recent history. His trial in 2021 drew intense national attention, with many on the left arguing his conviction was necessary for accountability, while some on the right questioned whether he had been given a fair trial amid the heightened tensions.
Trump’s swift rejection of the speculation may be aimed at avoiding further controversy as he focuses on his re-election campaign. Law and order remain key issues for his base, but revisiting the Chauvin case could risk renewed protests and political backlash.
The Floyd case played a major role in shaping the national debate on policing, race relations, and criminal justice reform. The riots and demonstrations following Floyd’s death resulted in billions of dollars in damages and led to calls for defunding the police in several cities.
While Shapiro’s comments reignited debate on the fairness of Chauvin’s trial, Trump’s remarks effectively ended any immediate discussion of a pardon. With the 2024 election behind him and his administration moving forward, Trump appears focused on other priorities.
For now, Chauvin remains behind bars, serving his decades-long sentence as discussions about his conviction continue to stir controversy in political circles.
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