President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, May 27, that he planned to pardon reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, the couple behind the popular show “Chrisley Knows Best,” who were convicted in 2022 on multiple federal charges including bank fraud and tax evasion.
The couple was freed from federal custody on Wednesday, May 28, and headed home to Nashville.
The Chrisleys were found guilty of conspiring to defraud banks in the Atlanta area out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans by submitting false documents. The couple was also convicted of tax evasion, obscuring their earnings while showcasing a luxurious lifestyle that prosecutors detailed included high-priced cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel.
Trump made the announcement during a call with the couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, according to a video posted online by a White House aide. The president told her that “Your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope that we can do it by tomorrow.” In a social media post, the aide declared the move with the phrase “Trump Knows Best.”
Before the couple’s release, Savannah Chrisley spoke to reporters, emphasizing her efforts on behalf of her parents. She addressed speculation, explaining that she didn’t have to take any extraordinary actions to secure the pardon. Instead, she remained steadfast in her beliefs and worked tirelessly to support her parents and stand up for what she believed was right. Additionally, she expressed that her advocacy extended beyond her parents, as she was also fighting for others who remained incarcerated, many of whom she believed deserved a second chance.
The president later added that the couple had been given harsh treatment based on what he was hearing about their case.
Julie Chrisley received a seven-year federal prison sentence, while Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years behind bars. The couple was required to pay $17.8 million in restitution. Prosecutors indicated that the pair walked away from their responsibility for repayment when Todd Chrisley declared bankruptcy and left $20-plus million in unpaid loans.
The reality show “Chrisley Knows Best” followed the tight-knit family and their extravagant lifestyle, which authorities determined was boosted by the fraudulent financial schemes. Before becoming television personalities, the Chrisleys and a former business partner submitted false documents to banks in the Atlanta area to obtain the substantial loans.
The couple’s attorney, Alex Little, praised the presidential decision, stating that the pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community. Little argued that President Trump recognized what the defense had maintained from the beginning – that Todd and Julie Chrisley were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile.
Little further argued that their prosecution was compromised by several constitutional breaches and political prejudice. The attorney emphasized that the case exemplifies exactly why the pardon power exists, allowing the Chrisley family to begin healing and rebuilding their lives.
This pardon continues a pattern of Trump granting clemency to high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers. On Monday, the president pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted on fraud and bribery charges. Trump posted online that Jenkins and his family had been dragged through difficulties by what he characterized as a corrupt system under the previous administration.
The president has taken steps to pardon Paul Walczak, a health care executive from Florida who was convicted on tax-related charges, and whose mother, Elizabeth Fago, played a role in revealing the contents of a diary belonging to Ashley Biden, the daughter of former President Joe Biden. Fago also raised millions of dollars for Trump and other Republicans.
In April, Trump pardoned Nevada Republican Michele Fiore, who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges that she used money meant for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery.
The Chrisley case represents one of the more prominent entertainment industry pardons in Trump’s recent clemency actions. The couple’s conviction marked a significant fall from their reality television fame, where they portrayed themselves as a successful, wealthy family navigating daily life with humor and strong family bonds.
Federal prosecutors had argued that the Chrisleys’ public persona was built on fraudulent financial foundations, using the illegally obtained funds to support their lavish lifestyle while evading their tax obligations. The case highlighted the contrast between their television image and the financial crimes occurring behind the scenes.
The announcement came as Trump continues to exercise his presidential pardon power in cases involving individuals he views as having been unfairly prosecuted or politically targeted. The timing of the potential Chrisley pardons suggests the administration prioritizes resolving what it sees as cases of prosecutorial overreach.