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Article: Voters Grapple with Pardoning Chauvin, Legacy of BLM Amid Shifting Political Landscape
The political reverberations of George Floyd’s murder continue to ripple through the nation, influencing policy debates, voter sentiment, and even prompting re-evaluations of the Black Lives Matter movement’s impact. As discussions around police reform wane and certain conservative voices advocate for the pardon of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in Floyd’s death, USA TODAY spoke with voters across the political spectrum to gauge their perspectives on these developments.
Hubert Rodell, a 69-year-old registered Democrat from Jonesboro, Arkansas, provides an interesting example of the conflicting views at play. A supporter of Donald Trump, Rodell readily admits he’d vote for him "100 more times," demonstrably showcasing his enthusiasm for the former president during his joint address to Congress with a standing ovation so vigorous it startled his bernedoodle. That ovation was prompted by Trump’s support for the death penalty for individuals who kill police officers. Rooted in his hometown where his father served as mayor for two decades, Rodell is keenly aware of the challenges and funding necessary for police departments. "I know my dad tried his best to give the police as much money as they could get," Rodell explained.
However, Rodell’s support for Trump doesn’t extend to the idea of pardoning Chauvin. He acknowledges the complexity of the Floyd situation, describing it as "a two-sorted blade." While he believes Floyd "shouldn’t have played so stupid," he also asserts that the police "should have stood back and said, well, let’s listen." His assessment ultimately points to a collective failure that resulted in a tragic loss of life, followed by widespread unrest. "Everybody just got stupid at the same time and they killed the man, then all of a sudden, our cities are burning up everywhere."
The renewed focus on Chauvin’s case, fueled by figures like Elon Musk who are closely aligned with Trump, reflects a broader effort to reframe the narrative surrounding the 2020 protests. These protests, ignited by Floyd’s death, saw millions take to the streets during a global pandemic, demanding an end to police brutality and racial injustice.
Conservative activists and commentators are actively seeking to undermine the legitimacy of the BLM movement, often highlighting instances of violence or property damage that occurred during protests while simultaneously advocating for policies that strengthen law enforcement. Examples include Republican pressure on the mayor of Washington, D.C., to remove a Black Lives Matter mural and Musk’s vocal support for freeing Chauvin.
The strategy often involves scrutinizing Floyd’s past and portraying the BLM movement as a radical, left-wing organization. Ben Shapiro, founder of The Daily Wire, exemplifies this shift. While initially condemning Chauvin’s actions and advocating for his imprisonment, Shapiro recently launched a petition arguing that Chauvin received an unfair trial due to the influence of protests.
Jordyn Joyce, a 28-year-old registered Republican and physicians assistant from Ocala, Florida, offers another perspective. While acknowledging the tragedy of Floyd’s death, Joyce suggests Chauvin acted according to his training. She also emphasizes the presence of fentanyl in Floyd’s system, arguing it should be a factor in considering a pardon. "It should absolutely play a role to their decision," she said. She claims it impairs one’s ability to think clearly. While expert witnesses dispute the amount of fentanyl being fatal, Joyce believes it is material.
However, other voters strongly oppose the idea of a pardon, believing it would send a dangerous message about accountability and the value of Black lives.
Chris Carson, a 52-year-old Black Democrat and former corrections officer from Byram, Mississippi, argues that Floyd’s background is irrelevant to the injustice he suffered. "Floyd’s background was no reason for him to be killed," he said. Carson emphasizes the importance of de-escalation in law enforcement, stating, "When we handcuffed a person, once you subdue them, you back up off of them, you give them an opportunity." He attributes Chauvin’s actions to "the cockiness of some of our law enforcement" who are unwilling to be questioned. "You’re not gonna let anybody tell you what to do while you’re doing your job, and in this case that particular officer was completely in the wrong."
Eden Kassa, a 37-year-old Black Democrat and government contractor from Alexandria, Virginia, echoes this sentiment. She calls Chauvin’s actions "irresponsible" and fears that a pardon would create a system where powerful figures can arbitrarily exonerate individuals, regardless of their crimes. "They can exonerate you just because they want to, that’s the message that would send to me," Kassa stated.
Trump’s history of controversial pardons further fuels these concerns. For example, he recently pardoned two D.C. police officers convicted in the fatal pursuit of Karon Hylton-Brown, a young Black man – a case that occurred shortly after Floyd’s murder.
Jedd Smith, a 52-year-old independent engineer from Allegan, Michigan, also opposes interference in the Chauvin case, believing the officer "went too far." However, Smith is also critical of the BLM movement, which he believes has been "radicalized" by left-leaning groups and has "lost its effectiveness." Yet, Smith admits that his perspective has been influenced by conversations with Black friends and co-workers who shared their experiences with police. "I didn’t realize how real it was for a Black person that when they see the cops, they’re afraid, they’re nervous and they’re afraid they’re going to get hassled," Smith said. "I grew up in white. I didn’t realize that it’s a very real thing for them, a fear of police, and my growing up, I didn’t fear the police."
James Helin, a 30-year-old white Navy veteran and registered independent from Rockingham, North Carolina, views Floyd’s death as a "touchy situation" but disapproves of the BLM movement, accusing it of "taking advantage of race relations" and BLM activists that tried to "enrich themselves." He also finds it hard to believe that racism was as big an issue as it was being made out to be. "So getting rid of that mural, to me, means trying to put that in the past, and say we don’t need people trying to stoke fires. We need people trying to put fires out," Helin asserted.
Within the BLM movement itself, there are varying perspectives on its effectiveness and lasting impact.
Jecorey Arthur, a former city councilman in Louisville, Kentucky, acknowledges the movement’s successes in achieving local policy changes but believes it failed to sustain momentum. "We had demonstration, we had legislation, but I think we lacked organization following those two phases," Arthur said. "We should have been able to sustain those people and go deeper or higher up the ladder of engagement, but that kind of fell apart the further we got away from 2020."
Christi Rangel, a 51-year-old legal secretary and registered independent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, however, emphasizes the symbolic importance of the BLM mural and other similar displays of solidarity. "The right has been up in arms for years having conniption fits because Confederate statues were coming down," Rangel said. "So symbols do mean things to people."
Jeremy Ives, a 39-year-old commercial photographer in Washington, D.C., who documented the original BLM mural, sees its removal as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. "You can cut a nose off a Sphinx, you can deface art, you can rewrite history, but I think this reminds me that everybody is watching it happen," Ives said. The chalked messages surrounding the mural, echoing the chants and phrases of the 2020 protests, served as a potent reminder of the events that transpired and their lasting significance.
The debate over Chauvin’s potential pardon and the legacy of the BLM movement reflects a deeply divided nation grappling with issues of race, justice, and police accountability. As these discussions continue, it is clear that the impact of George Floyd’s death will continue to shape the American political landscape for years to come.
