The Minnesota Republican Party is distancing itself from a moment of silence held for Derek Chauvin during its state convention, saying the gesture was not part of leadership planning, not included in the official program, and should not be interpreted as a party position.

GOP officials said in a Monday, June 1 Facebook post that the recognition of the former Minneapolis police officer, who was convicted in the killing of George Floyd in 2020, emerged from a spontaneous delegate motion on the convention floor and was not initiated or endorsed by leadership.

The controversy quickly escalated after state leaders, civil rights attorneys and Democratic lawmakers condemned the action, describing it as deeply harmful to Floyd’s family and inconsistent with accountability under the law.

The moment of silence took place during the party’s annual gathering in Duluth on May 30 and comes just days after the sixth anniversary of Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, an event that reshaped national debates over policing and racial justice.

More news: Supreme Court declines appeal from Derek Chauvin to review conviction in George Floyd murder

Republican Party of Minnesota says gesture was not leadership action

In a statement, the Republican Party of Minnesota said the recognition of Derek Chauvin originated as a delegate request during floor proceedings at the convention in Duluth and was handled under standard rules of order.

Party officials emphasized that convention leadership, including chair Danny Nadeau, did not propose the motion. The statement said leadership’s role was procedural only, and that presiding over the motion did not reflect agreement with or endorsement of its subject matter.

Officials reiterated that the convention agenda itself did not include any planned recognition of Chauvin and said the episode should not be interpreted as a leadership-driven decision or policy stance.

More news: Kevin Hart addresses backlash to Tony Hinchcliffe’s George Floyd joke

Minnesota attorney general calls action ‘profound cruelty’

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution of Chauvin, sharply criticized the gesture, calling it an “act of profound cruelty” toward the Floyd family.

Ellison said the timing, so close to the anniversary of Floyd’s death, compounded the harm.

He said honoring Chauvin “dishonors the memory of George Floyd and wounds his loved ones all over again,” and called it “disturbing” to recognize someone convicted of violating his oath as a police officer.

Ellison also said the action was “disrespectful” to law enforcement officers who serve honorably, and reaffirmed that courts had already upheld Chauvin’s conviction through multiple appeals.

Broader backlash and political fallout

Democratic state Rep. Jamie Long called the moment of silence “disgusting,” arguing that Republicans chose to honor a convicted murderer rather than victims of violence or service members.

The gesture also drew criticism from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represented George Floyd’s family in its civil case after his death. The attorneys called the moment of silence immoral and demanded a retraction and apology, saying it disrespected both the Floyd family and the broader public record of Chauvin’s conviction.

Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, when 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 22½ years in state prison.

The killing sparked global protests and became a defining moment in the Black Lives Matter movement and debates over policing in the United States.

Chauvin’s conviction has been upheld through multiple appeals, including a denial by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023, and he is serving his sentence in federal custody.

Party officials say despite the controversy, their focus remains on candidate endorsements and upcoming elections, not the floor action that triggered the backlash.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.

MN Medicaid deadline: Providers see funding cutoff

A rushed Medicaid review has left thousands of Minnesota care providers suddenly without funding, putting essential services, vulnerable patients, and jobs at risk. The sudden Medicaid cutoff comes after the federal government withheld $2 billion over fraud concerns, forcing the state to evaluate about 5,500 providers in high-risk programs in just five months.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – A rushed Medicaid review has left thousands of Minnesota care providers suddenly without funding, putting services and jobs at risk.

Providers face sudden Medicaid cutoff after federal pressure

What we know:

The deadline for Medicaid providers to complete the state’s revalidation process was midnight Sunday. Many, like Susan Holman of Legacy Place Assisted Living in Sauk Rapids, found themselves disenrolled without clear explanation. Holman said, “I’m disenrolled now. I’m disenrolled as of today.”

Holman and her husband have run their assisted living business for 14 years. She submitted all required documents on May 1, but by June 1, her application was still pending review. She then received notice that her Medicaid funding was terminated. “I don’t know if they meant to do all of this to everybody. I don’t know. But I know I’m not alone in this,” said Holman.

The review was triggered when the federal government withheld $2 billion in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns. The state was forced to quickly check about 5,500 providers in 13 high-risk programs in just five months—a process that usually takes most states two years. As of last Wednesday, only about 1,000 providers had passed.

The impact on home care services

Why you should care:

Home care providers in northern Minnesota and along the North Shore are also facing funding cuts. Meghann Lewis and Codi Warnecke, who run Bella Mente Home Care and Heart & Hara Home Care, say the process has been confusing and communication has been lacking. “It’s just been really disorganized that there’s no up or down and there’s no one to talk to,” said Lewis.

Lewis received a letter confirming her revalidation, only to get another letter an hour later suspending her funding. “An hour later I had another private letter in the same mailbox that says we’re suspending your CFSS due to failed revalidation,” said Lewis. Warnecke said, “For the last two weeks, the payroll has come out of my personal pocket.”

Both are appealing the rejections and considering lawsuits against the state. Holman is also planning an appeal, but with as many as 5,000 businesses in the same situation, she doubts the state will resolve things quickly. Some businesses may not survive, which could put vulnerable people at risk of losing essential care.

Many providers are left frustrated and uncertain about their future. “This doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m so frustrated,” said Holman.

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MN Medicaid providers revalidation limbo

A deadline for Minnesota Medicaid service providers to revalidate their services for federal funding has now come and gone. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard explains what it could mean for some.

The state’s response and what happens next

The other side:

FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard tried to get answers from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, but the agency declined interviews and did not provide updated data about the review process.

Providers are left in limbo as they wait for appeals to be processed and hope for funding to be restored. In the meantime, they are doing what they can to keep services going for those who depend on them.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear how many providers will ultimately regain Medicaid funding or how quickly the state will resolve the appeals. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has not shared updated numbers or details about the next steps.