Ben Shapiro has recently initiated a campaign urging President Trump to pardon former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in the 2020 murder of George Floyd, according to The Hill.
In 2020, Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, was filmed during the arrest of George Floyd, an event that ultimately led to Floyd's death and sparked global protests.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2021, receiving a sentence of 22.5 years in addition to a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights.
The death of George Floyd became a pivotal moment, notably intensifying the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests that erupted in the aftermath were marked by significant unrest and discussions about race relations in the United States.
Amid these events, Ben Shapiro has presented a petition to President Donald Trump. He argues that Chauvin's trial was unfairly influenced by public and political pressure, which he claims compromised the judicial process.
Shapiro's letter to President Trump was unequivocal in its demand for a presidential pardon. He wrote, “We write to urge you to immediately issue a pardon for Officer Derek Chauvin, who was unjustly convicted and is currently serving a 22-and-a-half year sentence for the murder of George Floyd and associated federal charges.”
Shapiro has described the aftermath of Floyd’s death as setting "America’s race relations on their worst footing in recent memory." He attributes this to what he terms the "BLM riots," underscoring the turbulent period that followed.
Furthermore, Shapiro argues that the trial's environment, filled with immense public scrutiny and political commentary, might have pressured the jury into a conviction despite the evidence presented.
Shapiro's campaign has sparked varied reactions. While some view it as a necessary step to rectify what they see as a miscarriage of justice, others believe it undermines the judicial rulings and disrespects the broader implications of Floyd's death.
The issue of pardon power itself is nuanced. Shapiro acknowledges that President Trump can only pardon Chauin for the federal charges, as state convictions like the second-degree murder charge are beyond the president's pardon scope.
Former President Trump, known for his controversial use of the pardon power, notably during his last days in office following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, has not yet commented on Shapiro’s petition. The Hill reports having reached out to the Trump administration for a statement.
The petition has also received attention from high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk. The tech entrepreneur, who is an adviser to Trump, mentioned Shapiro’s campaign on the social media platform X, cryptically noting it as “something to think about."
Shapiro’s digital campaign includes a video where he elaborates on his views regarding the conviction of Derek Chauvin. “Make no mistake—the Derek Chauvin conviction represents the defining achievement of the Woke movement in American politics. The country cannot turn the page on that dark, divisive, and racist era without righting this terrible wrong,” Shapiro explained.
In concluding his appeal, Shapiro thanked Trump for what he described as efforts to end the "weaponization of the American justice system," striking a chord with those who feel the justice system has been used for political agendas.
This campaign comes during a volatile time in American political and social life, highlighting ongoing debates about justice, accountability, and the influence of public sentiment on judicial processes.
Derek Chauvin has appealed his conviction multiple times, suggesting a continued battle over his case's circumstances and outcomes. Meanwhile, Shapiro’s petition further polarizes public opinion on what justice should look like in highly charged political and social climates.