Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025
Outside the box.
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
The couple, convicted in 2022 for defrauding banks of over $30 million and committing tax evasion, received clemency following advocacy from their daughter and supporters
On May 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced full and unconditional pardons for Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality television series "Chrisley Knows Best." The couple had been convicted in June 2022 on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion.
Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice.
The Chrisleys were found guilty of submitting false documents to secure over $30 million in loans from community banks in the Atlanta area and of concealing income to evade federal taxes.
In November 2022, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence.
Both were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.
Following their convictions, the Chrisleys reported to federal prisons in January 2023.
Todd Chrisley began serving his sentence at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, and Julie Chrisley was incarcerated at Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky.
In June 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the convictions but vacated Julie Chrisley's sentence due to a miscalculation in sentencing guidelines, ordering a resentencing.
Despite the appellate court's decision, the district court reimposed the original seven-year sentence in September 2024.
The pardons followed a campaign led by the couple's daughter, Savannah Chrisley, who publicly advocated for her parents' release and highlighted alleged political motivations behind their prosecution.
Savannah Chrisley had previously spoken at the 2024 Republican National Convention and maintained a public presence supporting her parents' case.
President Trump communicated the decision to grant clemency during a phone call with Savannah Chrisley, which was later publicized.
In the call, Trump expressed his belief that the Chrisleys had received excessively harsh treatment and stated his intention to finalize the pardons promptly.
The Chrisleys' attorney, Jay Surgent, welcomed the pardons, asserting that the couple's prosecution was politically motivated due to their conservative views.
The family's supporters, including Alice Marie Johnson, known for her criminal justice reform advocacy, also backed the clemency efforts.
The pardons are part of a series of clemency actions taken by President Trump, who has previously granted pardons to various individuals, including political allies and public figures.
The Chrisleys' release is anticipated to occur promptly following the formalization of the pardons.
Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice.
The Chrisleys were found guilty of submitting false documents to secure over $30 million in loans from community banks in the Atlanta area and of concealing income to evade federal taxes.
In November 2022, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence.
Both were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.
Following their convictions, the Chrisleys reported to federal prisons in January 2023.
Todd Chrisley began serving his sentence at Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida, and Julie Chrisley was incarcerated at Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky.
In June 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the convictions but vacated Julie Chrisley's sentence due to a miscalculation in sentencing guidelines, ordering a resentencing.
Despite the appellate court's decision, the district court reimposed the original seven-year sentence in September 2024.
The pardons followed a campaign led by the couple's daughter, Savannah Chrisley, who publicly advocated for her parents' release and highlighted alleged political motivations behind their prosecution.
Savannah Chrisley had previously spoken at the 2024 Republican National Convention and maintained a public presence supporting her parents' case.
President Trump communicated the decision to grant clemency during a phone call with Savannah Chrisley, which was later publicized.
In the call, Trump expressed his belief that the Chrisleys had received excessively harsh treatment and stated his intention to finalize the pardons promptly.
The Chrisleys' attorney, Jay Surgent, welcomed the pardons, asserting that the couple's prosecution was politically motivated due to their conservative views.
The family's supporters, including Alice Marie Johnson, known for her criminal justice reform advocacy, also backed the clemency efforts.
The pardons are part of a series of clemency actions taken by President Trump, who has previously granted pardons to various individuals, including political allies and public figures.
The Chrisleys' release is anticipated to occur promptly following the formalization of the pardons.
