Tech billionaire and close adviser to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, is lending his voice to encourage the pardon of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who killed George Floyd in May 2020.
Far-right commentator Ben Shapiro posted a link to a Daily Wire letter to Trump, asking to pardon Chauvin. Musk shared the post and called it "something to think about."
While Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations and tax evasion charges, the murder of Floyd was a state charge, which Trump can't pardon, explained legal expert Andy Craig.
His federal sentences are running concurrently with his longer state sentence for murder.
"A federal pardon would have no effect on how long he'll be in prison," wrote Craig.
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Reuters crime reporter Brad Heath also pointed out that currently Chauvin is in federal prison, where he's serving time, "Pardoning him for one wouldn't impact the other. (But a federal pardon would move him back to state prison.)"
He recalled that Chauvin did not want to be in state prison. He's currently in the federal prison in Big Springs, Arkansas, The Associated Press wrote in Aug. 2024.
"He'll be 'rotting in prison' regardless," Reason reporter Billy Binion agreed.
Critics were disgusted, commenting about it on social media Tuesday afternoon.
"As I was saying, any person supporting Derek Chauvin is a sociopathic racist devoid of humanity," said Radicalized Podcast co-host and journalist Jim Stewartson.
"It does not get more white power than Ben Shapiro and Musk calling for Derek Chauvin who murdered George Floyd to be pardoned," said SiriusXMProgress host Dean Obeidallah.
Others were shocked Trump hadn't already issued the pardon.
Brett Johnson, who was previously on the "Most Wanted" list for cyber crimes, referred to Musk as the "co-President" when pointing out Musk's comments.
"Let that racist idea sink in," said Johnson. "Then think about a law enforcement officer kneeling on your neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds as you slowly suffocate to death, crying for your mother, other cops watching."