Biden has said this was an injustice born from America’s long history of racism.
A new federal grand jury has been empaneled in Minneapolis and the Justice Department has called new witnesses as part of its investigation of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who will go on trial in state court next month on a murder charge for the death of George Floyd, according to two people with direct knowledge of the investigation. The fresh slate of witnesses subpoenaed to give testimony about Chauvin is an early sign that the federal investigation into the death of Floyd, which began last year and then languished, is being reinvigorated under the administration of President Joe Biden. Chauvin, who is white, was seen in harrowing video footage kneeling for more than nine minutes on the neck of Floyd, a Black man, as he begged for his life. The video set off protests across the United States, some of which led to violence in cities including Minneapolis; Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C. It is unlikely that the Justice Department, in presenting evidence to a new grand jury, is hoping for a quick indictment of Chauvin before his state trial, which is scheduled to begin March 8. But if there was an acquittal or a mistrial, attention would immediately shift to the federal investigation and to whether Chauvin would face trial for violating Floyd’s civil rights. As a new grand jury begins to hear more testimony in the case, the investigation has apparently narrowed to focus on Chauvin, rather than the three other former officers who face aiding and abetting charges, according to one of the people briefed on the matter, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment on the investigation. As Chauvin’s trial looms, Minneapolis is consumed with fears that the proceedings could provoke more unrest. The National Guard has been activated to protect the city’s downtown during the trial, and law enforcement agencies from around the state are being called upon to help secure the Twin Cities. Chauvin, who is free on bail and has been allowed to live outside Minnesota because of security concerns, is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The Justice Department’s investigation into Chauvin is also shaping up as an early test for Biden, who has vowed to allow the department to operate independently of the White House. Biden has said that Floyd’s death was an injustice born from America’s long history of racism. “The very soul of America is at stake,” he said in a speech soon after Floyd died. “We must commit as a nation to pursue justice with every ounce of our being.” During the presidential campaign, Biden vowed to give new powers to the Justice Department’s civil rights division and elevate civil rights as a priority within the White House, a statement that at the time raised doubts about how independent it would be. Biden has not been involved in or briefed on the Justice Department’s investigation into the death of Floyd, according to a White House official.
