On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death, his longtime girlfriend voiced concern that former President Donald Trump could one day issue a federal pardon for the officer convicted of killing him.

Courtney Ross, who was in a relationship with Floyd before he died in 2020, said rising far-right pressure and reluctance from Trump to clarify his stance have fueled her fear of a future pardon for Derek Chauvin, as the Daily Mail reports.

Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes during an arrest, despite Floyd repeatedly saying he could not breathe. The incident was captured on video and led to worldwide protests and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In April 2021, Chauvin was convicted on three state charges: unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22.5 years behind bars for those crimes.

Two months later, in June 2021, he faced additional federal convictions for violating Floyd’s civil rights, as well as the civil rights of a teenager in a separate case. He received a 21-year sentence to be served concurrently with his state time.

Trump's silence raises pardon questions

With Trump back in the White House as of January 2025, Ross says his lack of commitment on the issue has been alarming. “Every time it comes up, he either says he's not considering it, or he brushes it off like it's not important,” she said in an interview.

Ross worries that Trump’s current indifference may turn into action if he listens to certain political allies. “That's his way of dealing with it -- by not dealing with it. And that terrifies me,” she said. “Because not dealing with it now doesn't mean he won't do it later.”

Two months ago, Trump stated he was unaware of any ongoing efforts to seek a pardon for Chauvin. But his neutral position has not reassured Ross, who fears it leaves the door open to eventual action under political influence.

Far-right voices back Chauvin, pressure Trump

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has publicly urged Trump to consider pardoning Chauvin for the federal crimes. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has recently grown more politically vocal, reshared Shapiro’s comments online and remarked, “Something to think about.”

These statements are part of a broader effort from far-right figures who view Chauvin as a wrongful target of political prosecution. This perspective clashes with the widespread condemnation of Floyd’s death and the legal decisions that followed.

Ross said she believes growing influence from these voices could eventually sway Trump’s decision-making. “I don't trust him,” she said. “And I know that people are whispering in his ear who want that pardon.”

Pardon would be symbolic, not legal relief

Even if a federal pardon were granted, it would not overturn Chauvin’s state murder conviction or reduce the 22.5-year sentence handed down in Minnesota. However, Ross said such a move would carry symbolic weight and be viewed as a rejection of the calls for racial justice that followed Floyd’s killing.

“If he lets Chauvin walk free, it's not just about one man. It's about everything we fought for. Everything George died for,” Ross said. Her concerns reflect the broader tension between legal accountability and political messaging in post-Floyd America.

Floyd’s murder became a defining moment in U.S. history, sparking protests in all 50 states and leading to increased focus on police reform and racial equity initiatives across several levels of government.

Post-Floyd reforms face new scrutiny

Under former President Joe Biden, the Department of Justice took steps to investigate and, in some cases, sue police departments, including those in Minneapolis and Louisville. Those actions were part of a broader effort to address civil rights violations and police misconduct.

Since returning to power in January 2025, Trump’s administration has reversed several of those initiatives. It ended all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and announced it would dismiss lawsuits against police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville.

The DOJ under Trump has described Biden’s reform efforts as a “failed experiment,” claiming that most officers already respect constitutional rights. Critics argue this approach undermines the momentum generated by Floyd’s death and the movement it awakened.

Minneapolis marks somber anniversary

On May 19 of this year, a mural appeared in Minneapolis to honor Floyd. It featured the phrase “I CAN BREATHE NOW,” surrounded by the names of others who died in encounters with law enforcement.

As communities reflect on the five-year mark of Floyd’s death, many continue to debate what justice looks like and how accountability should be handled. For Ross, it's not just about honoring Floyd’s name, but preserving the meaning behind the collective outcry his killing ignited.

“I believe one day, under Trump, it could happen,” Ross said of a potential pardon. Her comments highlight how deeply intertwined Floyd’s legacy remains in the political and cultural divisions still gripping the United States.