Minnesota Officials Panicking Over Derek Chauvin Pardon Speculation, Potential Unrest [WATCH]

Local and state officials in Minnesota are preparing for the possibility of civil unrest in the event President Donald Trump issues a federal pardon for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, according to multiple sources familiar with security briefings.

Sources told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota National Guard, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt have all been briefed on contingency plans should a pardon be granted.

BREAKING – Minneapolis state officials are preparing for a possible pardon of Derek Chauvin. Gov. Tim Walz says “unrest” will follow if this is allowed to happen and confirms the National Guard has been briefed.

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 14, 2025

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Chauvin is currently serving a federal sentence in connection with the 2020 death of George Floyd, an incident that sparked widespread demonstrations across the country.

The Biden-era U.S. Department of Justice convicted Chauvin on federal civil rights charges in 2022, separate from his 2021 state conviction of second-degree murder and other charges.

This is George Floyd’s autopsy result.

No trauma in the neck or chest.

But large amount of fentanyl in his system.

AND he had covid.

If this was any other death he would have been in the covid death stats.

Convenient that they chose to ignore that. And blame Chauvin. pic.twitter.com/f3xVqJiT6a

— Miss Jo (@therealmissjo) November 21, 2023

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He is currently incarcerated at a federal penitentiary in Arizona.

In response to questions from White House reporters in March regarding a possible pardon for Chauvin, President Trump stated, “No, I have not heard about that.”

Despite that comment, sources say that state and local officials are taking no chances, citing the potential for renewed protests.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections is reportedly prepared to take custody of Chauvin and transfer him to the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, where he would serve the remainder of his 22-and-a-half-year state sentence if released from federal custody.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison weighed in over the weekend during an appearance on MSNBC, emphasizing that a federal pardon would not release Chauvin from his obligations under state law.

“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 Ellison.

Governor Walz, speaking to reporters on Monday, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the issue but emphasized the importance of preparedness.

“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 something they would do,” said Walz.

In a separate but potentially related development, sources told KSTP that the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to file a petition next week seeking to end the federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

The decree was put in place following the death of George Floyd as part of a broader police reform effort.

If the DOJ files the petition, the city of Minneapolis is expected to oppose the move and submit a legal brief challenging the DOJ’s request.

According to sources, it could take up to six weeks for a federal judge to issue a ruling on whether the consent decree will be lifted.

The MPD has been under scrutiny for the past several years, with reform efforts initiated by both local and federal authorities.

Lifting the decree would represent a significant shift in federal oversight of the department, potentially fueling further debate over public safety and accountability.

Officials have not confirmed whether any specific dates or events would trigger the implementation of crowd control or National Guard deployment plans, but agencies remain on alert as they monitor developments from the Department of Justice and the White House.

No official pardon request or White House action related to Chauvin has been announced as of Tuesday.

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