As calls for a pardon for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin are growing in right-wing circles, the real question is it even possible? The short answer: not quite. Earlier this week, right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro urged President Donald Trump to extend clemency for Chauvin’s convictions related to the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Trump can pardon Chauvin’s 20-year federal convictions for violating Floyd’s civil rights, but pardoning or commuting Chauvin’s 22 1/2 year state sentence is out of Trump’s jurisdiction.