Minnesota Officials Bracing for Potential Derek Chauvin Pardon, New Report Says

A new report by a Minneapolis television station has revealed that Minnesota officials are bracing for the possibility that former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin could receive a federal pardon.

However, they told KSTP-TV that even if he does receive a federal pardon - which is not a sure thing - he won't be getting out any time soon. That's because Chauvin is also serving a 22.5-year state sentence, and federal pardons don't extend to that jurisdiction. Because his federal sentence is slightly shorter than his state sentence, even if Chauvin gets a federal pardon, it won't shave off time that he has to spend behind bars.

Furthermore, officials' comments to KSTP indicate they are taking the measures as a precautionary move, not because of actual information that a pardon is looming.

Chauvin was convicted of causing the death of George Floyd. Floyd's death sparked massive unrest in Minneapolis, MN.

According to KTSP, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota National Guard, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt "have all been briefed on preparations for possible civil unrest" in the event that Chauvin receives the pardon. The television station cited multiple anonymous sources for its report.

If a pardon does result, the Minnesota Department of Corrections i"s ready to pick up Chauvin at a federal penitentiary," and bring him back to Minnesota's Oak Park Heights Prison in Minnesota "to serve the remainder of his 22-and-a-half-year sentence," the television station reported, noting that Chauvin is serving his federal sentence in Texas.

“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 Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, to KSTP.

According to KTSP, Walz said, “No indication whether they’re going to do it, or not, but I think it behooves us to be prepared for it."

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called for a pardon for Chauvin on May 14, but the NAACP labeled the idea a "disgrace," KHOU-TV reported.

According to The Independent, Chauvin "was charged with unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was convicted on all three charges in the spring of 2021."

He was" sentenced to concurrent state and federal sentences of 22 ½ years and 21 years, respectively," The Independent reported.

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