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Friday, May. 16, 2025

Could Trump pardon Derek Chauvin of federal charges? 

Winter Keefer, MinnPost
yes

Former police officer Derek Chauvin is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences after being convicted in George Floyd’s killing. President Donald Trump has the constitutional right to pardon Chauvin of federal crimes but does not have the authority to pardon people convicted of state charges.

Trump has not said he would pardon Chauvin, but rumors of that possibility have spread. State leaders have emphasized that a pardon on federal charges would not lead to a pardon on state charges. If he were pardoned by Trump, Chauvin would simply be transferred out of federal prison and into a state prison to serve out his remaining 22-and-a-half-year sentence. 

Gov. Tim Walz, talking to the Minnesota Star Tribune, said: “So, 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 that might be something they would do.” 

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