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The Minnesota Republican Party distanced itself from observing a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin during its state convention, saying the act was not part of its leadership plan, was not part of its official program and should not be construed as a party position.
Republican officials said in a Facebook post on Monday, June 1, that the recognition of the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd in 2020 came from a spontaneous delegate motion at the convention floor and was not initiated or approved by leadership.
The controversy quickly escalated after state leaders, civil rights lawyers and Democratic lawmakers condemned the action, saying it was deeply harmful to Floyd’s family and inconsistent with accountability under the law.
The moment of silence was held May 30 at the party’s annual convention in Duluth, days after the sixth anniversary of Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis, which reshaped the national conversation about police and racial justice.
Minnesota Republican says gesture is not leadership behavior
The Minnesota Republican Party said in a statement that Derek Chauvin’s confirmation stemmed from a delegate request during floor proceedings at the Duluth convention and was handled according to standard rules of order.
Party officials stressed that the convention leadership, including Speaker Danny Nadeau, had not proposed the motion. The statement said the leadership’s role was only procedural and presiding over a motion does not reflect agreement or support for its subject matter.
Officials reiterated that the convention agenda itself did not include Chauvin’s planned confirmation and said the episode should not be interpreted as a leadership-driven decision or policy stance.
Minnesota Attorney General denounces attack as ‘grave brutality’
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution of Chauvin, harshly criticized the action, calling it a “profound brutality” against the Floyd family.
Ellison said the timing of the attack so close to the anniversary of Floyd’s death made it even more damaging.
He said honoring Chauvin “sullies the memory of George Floyd and re-harms his loved ones,” and called it “disturbing” to recognize someone who was convicted of violating his oath as a police officer.
Ellison also called the action “disrespectful” to law enforcement officers who honorably perform their duties, and reiterated that courts have already upheld Chauvin’s conviction through multiple appeals.
Widespread backlash and political fallout
Democratic state Rep. Jamie Long called the moment of silence “disgusting” and argued that Republicans chose to honor a convicted murderer rather than a victim of violence or a military member.
The gesture also drew criticism from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represented George Floyd’s family in civil litigation following his death. Lawyers called the moment of silence immoral and disrespected both Floyd’s family and the extensive public record surrounding Chauvin’s conviction, and called for a retraction and apology.
Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer, knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 22 and a half years in state prison.
The killing sparked global protests and was a defining moment in the Black Lives Matter movement and debate over police enforcement in the United States.
Chauvin’s conviction has been upheld by multiple appeals, including a 2023 dismissal by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is currently serving his sentence in federal custody.
Despite the controversy, party officials said they were focused on supporting candidates and the upcoming election, rather than the actions on the floor that sparked the backlash.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT..
