Chrisleys Freed! Trump's Pardon Drama Unfolds!

Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," have been released from federal prison on Wednesday, after receiving pardons from former President Donald Trump. This development follows their 2022 convictions for fraud and tax crimes, marking a dramatic turn in a case that has captivated the public.

Todd Chrisley had been serving a 12-year sentence in Pensacola, Florida, while Julie Chrisley was serving a seven-year sentence at a facility in Lexington, Kentucky. According to their legal team, the couple is now on their way home to Nashville.

Their release is part of a series of pardons issued by Trump, which also include former Republican New York congressman Michael Grimm, who served seven months for tax evasion, and Connecticut's former Republican Governor John Rowland, previously convicted of campaign-related federal crimes.

Key Details of the Chrisley Case:

• The Chrisleys were convicted of conspiring to defraud banks of over $30 million.
• They were also found guilty of multiple tax offenses, including attempts to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.
• Despite the convictions, both Todd and Julie Chrisley maintained their innocence throughout the legal process.

News of the pardons came as a surprise, with their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, reportedly receiving a call from the former President on Tuesday, informing her of the decision.

Alex Little, an attorney representing the Chrisleys, spoke to CNN's Anderson Cooper, suggesting that the pardons were not necessarily about guilt or innocence, but rather about the fairness of the legal process. "I think ultimately, the White House was convinced it didn’t work the way it should have," Little stated.

Last year, the Chrisleys' attorneys filed an unsuccessful appeal, arguing that the prosecution knowingly allowed false testimony and that the evidence was insufficient to convict them. Although the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conviction, Julie Chrisley's case was sent back to a lower court for resentencing due to a calculation error.

Savannah Chrisley has been a vocal advocate for her parents, even addressing speculation about her involvement in securing the pardons. "I didn’t have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and my convictions and fight for my parents and fight for what was right," she told reporters before her parents' release. She further emphasized her belief that many others in similar situations deserve a second chance.

Savannah Chrisley has been actively involved in Republican politics, speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and campaigning for Trump as part of "Team Trump’s Women Tour." She also recently appeared on Lara Trump’s Fox News program to discuss her parents’ ordeal.

President Trump, speaking at the White House, also indicated he would consider pardons for those convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.

This situation continues to unfold, raising questions about the use of presidential pardons and their impact on the justice system. The Chrisleys' release marks the end of a chapter, but the broader implications of this decision will continue to be debated for some time to come.

Tags: Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Donald Trump, Reality TV, Fraud, Tax Crimes, Pardon, Chrisley Knows Best, Michael Grimm, John Rowland, Savannah Chrisley, Presidential Pardon, Legal News

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/28/us/todd-chrisley-pardon-prison-release