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'It behooves us to be prepared': Walz, other MN agencies weigh in on rumors Trump will pardon Derek Chauvin
https://www.startribune.com/it-behooves-us-to-be-prepared-walz-other-mn-agencies-weigh-in-on-rumors-trump-will-pardon-derek-chauvin/601350785archive link: https://archive.ph/7npfi
State political and law enforcement leaders are preparing for the possibility that President Donald Trump could pardon former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s federal conviction in connection with the murder of George Floyd.
Responding to questions from reporters this week, Gov. Tim Walz said the White House has given him no indication that a federal pardon for Chauvin is imminent. Nonetheless, he’s bracing for the possibility, reminding people that even if Chauvin’s sentence is commuted on the federal level, he would be transferred to Minnesota to serve out the remainder of his lengthy state prison term.
“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota," Walz 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.”
Government leaders in Minneapolis acknowledged that rumors of a potential pardon are widespread. With the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaching later this month, they are being cautious in preparing for any civil unrest that could erupt.
Responding to questions from reporters this week, Gov. Tim Walz said the White House has given him no indication that a federal pardon for Chauvin is imminent. Nonetheless, he’s bracing for the possibility, reminding people that even if Chauvin’s sentence is commuted on the federal level, he would be transferred to Minnesota to serve out the remainder of his lengthy state prison term.
“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota," Walz 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.”
Government leaders in Minneapolis acknowledged that rumors of a potential pardon are widespread. With the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaching later this month, they are being cautious in preparing for any civil unrest that could erupt.
24 replies
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Derek Chauvin's federal sentence was 21 years, which he is currently serving. He is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Big Spring, Texas, a low-security prison. This federal sentence was imposed alongside a state sentence of 22.5 years for second-degree murder, and they are being served concurrently
So, not only is his state sentence longer, but he may well be serving in a considerably HIGHER security prison if transferred to a Minnesota state prison. I have zero knowledge of MN state prisons, but in many states, you MIGHT be better off in the Federal facility.
So, I don't think this is going to be the "favor" that Chauvin's "fans" think it will be.
On edit, that MN Star Tribune has more on what might happen and where he would go (and it would be medium, rather than low security):
If Derek Chauvin were transferred to a Minnesota state prison, he would likely be sent to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights, which is a medium-security facility. While Chauvin is currently serving his federal sentence at a low-security federal prison in Texas, his state prison sentence would require him to be housed in a state facility. The move would be necessary because his federal conviction was served concurrently with his state conviction, according to MPR News and the Star Tribune.
It would appear that a Trump pardon would be doing him zero favors.
