President Donald Trump granted pardons to reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley on Wednesday, allowing the couple, who were previously serving federal prison sentences for bank fraud and tax evasion, to return home. The couple was convicted three years ago and their sentences resulted in significant time apart from each other and their family. Hours after the pardons were issued, Todd Chrisley was released from a Pensacola prison, while Julie Chrisley was freed from a facility in Kentucky.
Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, expressed her joy and relief outside the Florida prison, where she awaited her father’s release. She noted that her parents had not been in contact for two and a half years, emphasizing the longing for family reunification. Her brother, Grayson Chrisley, was meeting their mother in Kentucky during this emotional time.
The Chrisleys, who gained fame from their reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” were found guilty of using fraudulent bank documents to secure millions in loans, which they used to fund their extravagant lifestyle. During their trial, prosecutors highlighted their lavish spending, including expensive cars and luxury vacations.
Trump’s decision to pardon the couple came after he described their treatment as excessively harsh and seemed to resonate with Savannah Chrisley’s concerns of political bias in her parents’ prosecution, which was conducted under a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney. Savannah reported that Trump personally informed her of the pardons via a phone call while she was grocery shopping, a moment she cherished.
The couple’s attorney, Alex Little, praised the pardons as a rectification of what he termed a “deep injustice,” asserting they were targeted for their conservative beliefs and public profile. Before the pardons, Julie had been expected to remain imprisoned until 2028, while Todd faced a release date in 2032.
Prosecutors had maintained that the Chrisleys had been living beyond their means before the reality show fame, using more loans to cover previous debts until Todd Chrisley ultimately filed for bankruptcy, leaving behind over $20 million in unpaid loans. Despite defense claims of prosecutorial misconduct, their convictions were upheld by an appeals court.
With their release, Savannah Chrisley spoke optimistically about family gatherings in the near future, looking forward to celebrating lost milestones like birthdays and holidays, thus marking a hopeful new chapter for the Chrisley family.