A lot of Americans have mixed feelings about this.
Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative media personality, has launched a petition urging President Trump to grant a pardon to Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted for the 2020 death of George Floyd. Chauvin is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year sentence for second-degree murder and federal civil rights violations in connection with Floyd’s death.
In his letter to the president, Shapiro argues that Chauvin’s conviction was unjust. He describes the case as a product of political pressure, highlighting what he believes were serious flaws in the trial’s evidence and proceedings. According to Shapiro, the trial was tainted by the intense national outcry and the influence of elected officials who publicly declared Chauvin’s guilt before the trial even concluded. This, Shapiro contends, led to an atmosphere where justice was not served, and a man was unjustly incarcerated.
The tragic incident of Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests, especially in 2020, and gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. Video footage of Floyd pleading for his life as Chauvin kneeled on his neck was seen by millions, leading to widespread outrage. While Shapiro acknowledges the tragedy of Floyd’s death, he also criticizes the aftermath, which he believes escalated racial tensions and resulted in considerable property damage during the subsequent riots.
Shapiro further argues that Chauvin’s conviction was a key victory for the “woke” movement, which he sees as a divisive force in American politics. He urges President Trump to use his authority to correct what he views as a grave injustice. While Shapiro notes that Trump cannot pardon Chauvin for his state conviction, he believes the president still has the power to intervene in the federal case.
This petition has also garnered attention from other influential figures, including tech mogul Elon Musk, who shared it on social media, sparking further discussion. Shapiro’s plea is a call for Republicans to stand against what he perceives as the politicization of justice in America.