- Thursday, July 17, 2025
Donald Trump announces clemency for reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted in a multimillion-dollar bank and tax fraud case. Their daughter Savannah Chrisley, a conservative influencer, championed their release at the 2024 RNC.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
President Donald Trump has announced plans to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted in 2022 for defrauding banks of over $36 million and committing tax evasion. The couple, known for their lavish lifestyle on the long-running reality show Chrisley Knows Best, received prison sentences of 12 and 7 years, respectively.
The news broke via a video posted by the White House, featuring Trump calling the couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, a conservative social media influencer. “It’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow,” Trump told Savannah during the call. “So I don’t know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.”
The move marks another instance of Trump’s unconventional use of presidential clemency powers, following similar actions in recent days, including pardons for a Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery and a nursing home executive convicted of tax crimes. Critics have accused Trump of politicizing the justice system, while supporters praise him for correcting what they view as unjust or excessive sentencing.
Back in November 2022, federal authorities found Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty of conspiring to deceive Atlanta banks out of tens of millions of dollars through falsified documents and false financial statements. They were also charged with tax evasion. FBI Special Agent Keri Farley had issued a stern warning at the time, stating, “When you lie, cheat, and steal, justice is blind to your fame, fortune, and position.”
Savannah Chrisley has remained a vocal advocate for her parents, positioning herself as a prison reform activist. Her campaign gained momentum after she addressed the 2024 Republican National Convention, where she drew parallels between the treatment of her family and Trump’s legal battles.
In a recent interview with Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and Fox News host, Savannah said, “When I saw what the president was going through, and what my family has gone through, it was eerily similar. That’s why I chose to speak at the RNC.”
Trump, in the pardon announcement video, echoed those sentiments, suggesting the Chrisleys received “pretty harsh treatment” and deserved another chance.
Just a day before this announcement, Trump had pardoned former Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who had been sentenced to 10 years for bribery. Trump claimed Jenkins was a victim of a “corrupt and weaponized Biden DOJ,” signaling a broader campaign narrative as he heads into the 2024 election cycle.
With the Chrisleys’ pardon expected to be finalized soon, Trump continues to use his influence to spotlight criminal justice reform in high-profile cases—especially those involving loyal public figures or political allies.
