Donald Trump’s history of controversial pardons includes granting clemency to accused war criminals in 2020 and over a thousand Capitol rioters since his return to the White House. Now, conservative media personality Ben Shapiro is advocating for a pardon for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the killing of George Floyd. Shapiro, in an open letter to Trump and a petition on PardonDerek.com, claims Chauvin was unjustly convicted and argues that the Chauvin case represents a defining achievement of the Woke movement in American politics that must be rectified.

Chauvin, a 48-year-old former police officer with a mixed record of commendations and complaints, was convicted in April 2021 of murder and manslaughter charges in Floyd’s death. Despite appeals, Chauvin is serving concurrent state and federal sentences totaling over 40 years. Calls for Trump to pardon Chauvin have garnered support from some, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, but faced strong opposition from Floyd’s family and others.

Critics argue that a pardon for Chauvin would disrespect Floyd’s memory and the rule of law, with some suggesting it could endanger Chauvin’s safety in prison. While some believe Chauvin deserves a fair trial, others point out that a federal pardon may not necessarily benefit him given the risks associated with serving time in state prisons. The debate surrounding a potential pardon for Chauvin reflects deep divisions and complexities surrounding justice, race relations, and law enforcement in America.