Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has reignited one of the nation’s most contentious debates by publicly urging former President Donald Trump to issue a federal pardon for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the 2020 killing of George Floyd.
Posting to her social media account on Wednesday, Greene stated unequivocally, “I strongly support Derek Chauvin being pardoned and released from prison,” while repeating the discredited claim that Floyd died of a drug overdose rather than as a result of Chauvin’s actions. Her statement adds fuel to a growing campaign among far-right voices advocating for Chauvin’s release.
The Death That Sparked a Global Reckoning
Derek Chauvin, now 49, became a central figure in one of the most significant civil rights movements in modern American history. On May 25, 2020, he and three fellow officers responded to a call at Cup Foods in Minneapolis, where Floyd allegedly attempted to use a counterfeit $20 bill. During the arrest, Chauvin pinned Floyd face-down on the street, pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as the unarmed man pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”
Cell phone footage of the incident spread rapidly online, sparking worldwide protests under the Black Lives Matter banner. The following day, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Floyd’s death a homicide. Though the autopsy noted contributing factors such as fentanyl intoxication and prior drug use, the primary cause remained the actions of the officers involved.
Conviction and Sentencing
In the spring of 2021, Derek Chauvin was convicted on three separate charges: unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He received concurrent sentences of 22½ years at the state level and 21 years at the federal level. Appeals to both the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court have since been denied.
Chauvin is currently held at FCI Big Spring, a federal facility in Texas, following a violent attack in late 2023 at FCI Tucson in Arizona. Prison officials confirmed he was stabbed by another inmate, prompting his transfer for security reasons.
Trump’s Potential Pardon and Legal Limits
Speculation around a potential pardon has gained traction as the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaches. Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota addressed the issue on Tuesday, clarifying that any federal clemency granted by Trump would not affect Chauvin’s state-level sentence.
“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional authority to pardon Derek Chauvin, the federal sentence might be removed,” Walz said. “However, Minnesota will ensure he serves the remainder of his 22½ years here.”
Walz, a Democrat and former vice presidential candidate, reiterated his opposition to such a pardon, emphasizing the state’s ongoing commitment to accountability.
A Divided Political Response
Greene’s call to action has been met with sharp criticism from civil rights leaders and lawmakers across the aisle. Advocates argue that her statement not only undermines the justice system but also reopens wounds in a nation still grappling with the consequences of systemic racism and police brutality.
Meanwhile, supporters of Derek Chauvin in conservative circles claim he has been scapegoated by a politically charged legal system. The debate has once again highlighted the stark political and ideological divides over policing, race, and justice in America.
What’s Next?
As Trump continues his 2024 campaign and MAGA-aligned politicians like Greene amplify calls for clemency, Derek Chauvin remains at the center of a national flashpoint. Whether a presidential pardon will be granted remains uncertain, but the issue is sure to be a polarizing topic during an already fraught election season.