Lawmakers react to guilty verdict in Chauvin murder trial: ‘Our work is far from done’

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle took to social media to share their thoughts after a verdict was reached in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.

Many politicos expressed approval over the trial outcome, and noted its influence on helping to hold law enforcement accountable.

The jury’s verdict delivers accountability for Derek Chauvin, but not justice for George Floyd. Real justice for him and too many others can only happen when we build a nation that fundamentally respects the human dignity of every person. https://t.co/JyJFztQbDu

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) April 20, 2021

Our struggle now is about justice—not justice on paper, but real justice in which all Americans live their lives free of oppression. We must boldly root out the cancer of systemic racism and police violence against people of color.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) April 20, 2021

George Floyd’s life mattered. Today’s verdict delivers accountability, but it does not bring him back. Our country must atone for the shameful, racist policies that have denied and stripped Black Americans of their rights for generations.

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) April 20, 2021

We must do more to hold law enforcement accountable. Abolish qualified immunity. Demilitarize the police. Ban facial recognition surveillance. And so much more. Today is only one step in the long march to true justice for Black and Brown Americans.

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) April 20, 2021

Today’s verdict is a major step on the path towards justice & accountability. I thank our incredible @keithellison + the prosecution team, who successfully prosecuted a law enforcement homicide—notoriously difficult cases to prosecute & held a murderer accountable on all charges.

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) April 20, 2021

The entire nation saw the tragic murder of George Floyd on television. This verdict is an opportunity to show all Americans that police must be held accountable for their actions.

— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) April 20, 2021

Many acknowledged that despite a guilty verdict, the issues of the United States’ “deeply broken” justice system still exist.

George Floyd should still be alive – and we must keep fighting to dismantle systemic racism and fundamentally transform our justice system.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 20, 2021

I’m thankful for George Floyd’s family that justice was served

America was forever changed by the video of Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd

However, a guilty verdict doesn’t mean the persistent problem of police misconduct is solved

We’ll keep working for meaningful change pic.twitter.com/2jV6xojgjp

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2021

Justice is served. Accountability for George Floyd’s murder is important & necessary. But it’s not enough—we still must fix this deeply broken system.

Today I’m thinking about George Floyd’s family, his daughter & his loved ones as they continue to mourn this unspeakable loss.

— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) April 20, 2021

Black Lives Matter. Our work is far from done. We must continue working together to create a stronger, more inclusive justice system that protects all of our communities.

— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) April 20, 2021

Chauvin’s conviction is a relief, but justice is still erratic and the system is still broken. We need to reform the police and reshape the broken system that led to the heartless murder of George Floyd.

— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) April 20, 2021

Several senators and representatives called for the passage of the Justice In Policing Act, a sweeping police reform act passed by the House in March.

The George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act must be signed into law. https://t.co/d5gtd6YibK

— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) April 20, 2021

George Floyd’s life mattered. Justice has been served.

Nothing will bring him back. But we owe it to Mr. Floyd, his family, and far too many others like him to take meaningful action to reform our policing system. We can start by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) April 20, 2021

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which we passed out of the House, will help, and we need the Senate to pass it immediately. [3/3]

— Rep. Jared Huffman (@RepHuffman) April 20, 2021

Now, Congress must pass the George Floyd #JusticeinPolicing Act. Let’s do our part!

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) April 20, 2021

GOP Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) applauded the jury’s verdict, but shared messages that were more supportive of the justice system.

My statement on the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5FPHi0j4k0

— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) April 20, 2021

The American justice system works. Today, due process was followed, and justice was served.

— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz) April 20, 2021

Former President Obama weighed in with words of condolence to the Floyd family.

Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied. pic.twitter.com/mihZQHqACV

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 20, 2021

 

Some legislators simply issued statements of mourning or hope.

No joy today.

Just relief.

“For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones.” Psalm 37:28#GeorgeFloyd

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) April 20, 2021

Justice. pic.twitter.com/5lDDHSmwIW

— Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) April 20, 2021

Justice served. #GeorgeFloyd

— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) April 20, 2021

The conclusion of Chauvin’s trial comes almost a year after Floyd died in Minneapolis last may. The other officers involved in the incident will be tried separately later this year.