Minneapolis Police Chief Ready for Potential Civil Unrest Amid Trump’s Possible Pardon of Derek Chauvin

Amid speculation from far-right circles suggesting that former President Donald Trump might pardon Derek Chauvin, convicted for the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara has stated that both city and state officials are strategizing to address potential civil unrest resulting from such a decision. Chauvin, currently serving a cumulative sentence of 21 years federally for civil rights violations and 22½ years at the state level for murder, sparked widespread protests in 2020, intensifying demands for police reform. Calls for a pardon emerged, notably from Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro, whose petition gained traction after Elon Musk’s endorsement. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized that Chauvin's state sentence remains intact, regardless of any federal clemency. O'Hara confirmed the city’s readiness in case of disturbances, reinforcing the lack of credible information regarding a pardon.