Full Breakdown
Minnesota GOP Holds Moment of Silence for Derek Chauvin, Prompting Outcry
6/1/2026, 7:54:20 AM
Core Event
On May 31, 2026, the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement convention in Duluth began with a 10-second moment of silence for former officer Derek Chauvin. The pause followed a delegate’s informal vote and came days after the sixth anniversary of George Floyd’s May 25, 2020 death.
Background
George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died after Chauvin knelt on his neck during a 2020 arrest. Chauvin received 21-year federal and 22.5-year state sentences in 2021, with a projected release in November 2037. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his state-conviction appeal in November 2023; he continues a federal challenge alleging ineffective counsel and seeking review of autopsy tissue samples.
Official Statements
Attorney General Keith Ellison condemned the silence as “disturbing” and “an act of profound cruelty to the Floyd family,” noting the jury’s verdict survived multiple appeals and that honoring Chauvin “dishonors the memory of George Floyd.” The Minnesota GOP has not issued a formal explanation beyond acknowledging the delegate-initiated pause.
Criticism
A state Rep. (unnamed) called the gesture “disgusting.” Reporter Max Nesterak contrasted the GOP’s silence with Democrats’ precautionary confiscation of glow sticks over epilepsy concerns. Daily Kos called the act “outrageous,” describing Chauvin as a “thug masquerading as a Minneapolis cop.”
On-the-Ground Details
The convention opened with a prayer by Father Richard Kunst and the Pledge of Allegiance. After a delegate’s motion, an informal vote approved a 10-second silence, which Rep. Nadeau led at 10 a.m., on the sixth anniversary of Floyd’s death.
Data Summary
- Sentencing: 21-year federal and 22.5-year state terms, concurrent.
- Projected release: November 2037.
- Supreme Court: declined to hear state-conviction appeal, November 2023.
- Moment of silence: 10 seconds, led by Rep. Danny Nadeau.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some reports say a delegate requested the silence; others say it was a party decision. The Minnesota GOP has not offered a public explanation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Not for those we lost to gun violence. Not for soldiers killed overseas. To a literal convicted murderer. Disgusting.” — State Rep., Minnesota
- “I am heartbroken and frankly shocked by the Minnesota Republican Party’s decision to hold a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin at their convention yesterday — days after the sixth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder.” — Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota
- “To honor the man convicted of murdering George Floyd — days after the very anniversary of that terrible day—is an act of profound cruelty to the Floyd family and to every Minnesotan who believes in accountability under law.” — Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota
- “State of the political parties: Minnesota Republicans held a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin at their endorsement convention while Democrats confiscated glow sticks because of the potential risk to a small subset of epileptics,” — Max Nesterak, Reporter, Minnesota Reformer
