Minnesota officials scramble to prepare for unrest while Governor Walz spreads unfounded rumors about a Trump pardon for Derek Chauvin that appear to be nothing more than political fear-mongering.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has explicitly stated he has not heard about pardoning Derek Chauvin, despite Minnesota officials’ preparations for potential unrest.
- Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed that even if federally pardoned, Chauvin would still serve his 22.5-year state sentence in Minnesota.
- Governor Tim Walz appears to be fueling pardon speculation despite no credible intelligence suggesting Trump plans to pardon Chauvin.
- Conservative commentators argue Chauvin’s conviction was influenced by political pressure and jury intimidation, supporting calls for a pardon.
- Minnesota officials are preparing contingency plans including transferring Chauvin from federal custody in Texas to state custody if necessary.
Democratic Officials Prepare for Phantom Pardon
Democratic leaders in Minnesota are mobilizing resources and developing contingency plans in response to rumors about President Trump potentially pardoning Derek Chauvin, despite Trump himself stating he has “not heard about that.” Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt have been collaborating on preparations for possible civil unrest, even though there is no credible intelligence suggesting a pardon is forthcoming. This preemptive action raises questions about whether officials are genuinely concerned about public safety or engaging in political theater.
Attorney General Keith Ellison has emphasized repeatedly that any federal pardon would not affect Chauvin’s state conviction. “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,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison.
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
Governor Walz Fuels Unfounded Speculation
Governor Tim Walz, who served as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign, has been particularly vocal in promoting the pardon rumor despite clear denials from President Trump. When asked about the possibility, Walz stated, “With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do,” despite having no evidence to support such a claim. His comments appear designed to stoke fears and potentially incite the very unrest he claims to be preparing to prevent.
“No indication whether they’re going to do it, or not, but I think it behooves us to be prepared for it. With this presidency, it seems like something they would do,” said Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.
Walz further added, “If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota.” These statements directly contradict President Trump’s clear response when asked about pardoning Chauvin: “No, I haven’t even heard about it.” This disconnect between Trump’s statements and Minnesota officials’ actions raises serious questions about political motivations behind the preparations.
BREAKING – Minneapolis state officials are preparing for a possible pardon of Derek Chauvin. Gov. Tim Walz says “unrest” will follow if this is allowed to happen and confirms the National Guard has been briefed.
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 14, 2025
Conservative Support for Reviewing Chauvin’s Case
While Minnesota officials claim to be preparing for unrest, some conservative voices have raised legitimate concerns about the fairness of Chauvin’s trial. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has advocated for a presidential pardon, arguing that Chauvin’s conviction was tainted by jury intimidation and political pressure. An online petition requesting a pardon has gained traction among those who believe the trial was compromised by external factors, including statements from political figures that may have influenced the jury’s decision-making process.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has also expressed support for pardoning Chauvin, reflecting a growing sentiment among some conservatives that the trial was conducted in an atmosphere of political intimidation rather than impartial justice. These concerns highlight the deep divisions in how Americans view the case, with many conservatives believing Chauvin did not receive a fair trial due to the immense political and social pressure surrounding the proceedings.
Contingency Plans Despite No Credible Threat
Minnesota’s Department of Corrections has confirmed preparations to transfer Chauvin from his current federal prison in Texas back to Minnesota to serve his state sentence if a federal pardon is granted. Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette stated clearly that there is “no credible intelligence” regarding either a potential pardon or planned disruptions, making the extensive preparations seem excessive and potentially politically motivated. The contradiction between officials acknowledging no credible threat while simultaneously preparing for major unrest raises questions about the true purpose of these announcements.
“No, I have not heard about that,” said President Trump.
The timing of these preparations also coincides with Minneapolis anticipating a potential petition from the U.S. Department of Justice to end the consent decree over Minneapolis Police Department reforms. City officials have indicated they plan to challenge any such petition, suggesting a broader political struggle between state officials and the federal administration that may be motivating the current focus on a hypothetical Chauvin pardon despite no evidence suggesting it’s under consideration.
