EDITORIAL: Dave Bondy
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — KSTP, the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis, recently published a story with the headline, "Minneapolis and state leaders prepare for possible Derek Chauvin pardon." The problem is, the information in the article comes from unnamed sources and speculation.
KSTP cites unnamed sources claiming that "Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota National Guard, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt have all been briefed on preparations for possible civil unrest if President Donald Trump pardons former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for his federal conviction related to the death of George Floyd."
After KSTP published the story, it quickly went viral, as other media outlets picked it up and amplified the narrative.
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But there’s a glaring issue: there is no indication that President Trump is planning to pardon Chauvin. In fact, the article itself acknowledges this. When asked by reporters at the White House in March about the possibility of a pardon, Trump responded, "No, I have not heard about that."
Despite this clear statement, the article is built largely on speculation and anonymous sources, with little confirmed, on-the-record information.
In March 2025, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro did launch a petition urging President Trump to pardon Chauvin, arguing the former officer was unjustly convicted due to media bias, political pressure, and disputed causes of George Floyd’s death. Shapiro promoted the petition on his podcast, social media, and the website PardonDerek.com.
However, a petition from a private citizen is far from official action by the president.
KSTP’s article also quotes Gov. Walz, who said, "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." Again, pure speculation — not confirmation.
Publishing a story based largely on assumptions and unnamed sources, especially one that could stoke public tension and possible violence, is irresponsible. If official word ever does come down that Chauvin will be pardoned, it would absolutely warrant coverage, including stories about preparing for public response.
But running with hypotheticals — especially ones this volatile — without solid evidence is wrong.
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