Tue Mar 11 01:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Conservative Pundit Ben Shapiro’s About-Face on George Floyd Case Sparks Outrage

**Washington, D.C.** – Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s call for a presidential pardon for Derek Chauvin, the officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, has ignited a firestorm of criticism. Shapiro’s demand, amplified by Elon Musk, stands in stark contrast to his 2020 statements condemning Chauvin’s actions as “really ugly and really bad,” calling for his prosecution to the “fullest extent of the law.”

In 2020, Shapiro used the video of Floyd’s death to decry Chauvin’s actions, even scolding those who claimed the incident was commonplace or racially motivated. He asserted that Chauvin’s prosecution would demonstrate the justice system’s efficacy. However, five years later, Shapiro now labels Chauvin’s conviction a “defining achievement of the Woke movement” and demands a pardon.

This dramatic shift mirrors a broader trend within the conservative movement, according to investigative journalist Radley Balko. Balko points to a recent documentary, produced by figures linked to the Minneapolis police union, which has gained traction in right-wing circles, pushing the narrative of a fabricated case against Chauvin. This narrative has been amplified by prominent figures such as Tucker Carlson and Megan Kelly.

Balko argues that Shapiro’s call for a pardon is not about justice for Chauvin, but a symbolic act aimed at validating the right’s increasingly hostile stance towards racial justice initiatives and protests against police brutality. He cites the GOP’s embrace of figures known for their inflammatory rhetoric and their support for individuals convicted of violence against protestors. The author links this shift to a broader acceptance of political violence within the Republican party, exemplified by the responses to the Kyle Rittenhouse and Daniel Perry cases.

Shapiro’s about-face, Balko concludes, showcases a significant change within the conservative landscape, moving from a perceived condemnation of police brutality in 2020 to a justification of Chauvin’s actions and a rejection of the narrative surrounding Floyd’s death in 2025. The core issue, argues Balko, is not about Chauvin’s guilt or innocence, but about the right’s evolving position on race, violence, and justice.

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