Todd and Julie Chrisley are officially getting a second chance—thanks to Donald Trump.
The former president announced on May 27 that he plans to issue a full pardon to the Chrisley Knows Best stars, who are currently serving time for bank fraud and tax evasion. Trump shared the decision during a phone call with their children, Savannah and Grayson Chrisley.
In the call (watch above), Trump told the siblings, “Your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow. Is that OK? We'll try getting it done tomorrow.”
A teary-eyed Grayson, 19, replied, “Mr. President, I just want to say thank you for bringing my parents back.”
Long Road to Pardon
The high-profile couple was convicted in June 2022 after pleading not guilty. Todd faced 12 years and Julie 7 years behind bars before their sentences were later reduced in 2023.
Todd is currently held at FCI Pensacola in Florida, while Julie serves time in a Kentucky federal facility. Savannah previously said (per People) that the ordeal has been “the most difficult part of my life,” and has been outspoken about the prison conditions, especially the alleged retaliation her father has faced.
Savannah shared with E! News in March 2024, “The last time they spoke was the morning they went into federal prison,” adding that prison officials had been “blocking a lot of his emails correspondence to my mom.”
Fighting for Freedom
Savannah has been on a mission to clear her parents’ names. In July 2024, she appeared at the Republican National Convention, pushing for justice. By February, she confirmed to People, “I know that I am going through the proper channels to do so, and I'm going to bring as much awareness to it as possible because these things should not happen.”
Julie’s case hit a brief turning point when her sentence was overturned in June 2024 after a three-judge panel cited errors in her sentencing. However, by September, an Atlanta court reinstated her sentence. Speaking directly to the court, Julie tearfully apologized.
"I would like to say I’ve had years to think about what I’ve wanted to say and I’m sorry for my actions and situations that let us to where we are today," she said. "I can’t ever repay my children for what they’ve had to go through and for that, I am so sorry."
“Free and Clean”
Trump’s decision followed advocacy from criminal justice reform advocate Alice Johnson, according to a White House official. Savannah, who now has custody of her younger siblings, celebrated the news as a dream come true.
“For the past two and a half years, I’ve done everything in my power to fight for my parents’ freedom and bring them home,” she said in a statement to E! News. “This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family.”
What’s Next?
The Chrisleys’ legal drama might be easing, but their public lives aren’t slowing down. A new Lifetime docuseries is in the works, with cameras set to follow the family as they try to move forward.
“The Chrisleys don’t know best anymore, but they’re doing their best to be there for each other,” the network teased. With their parents soon to be back home, viewers might see a very different kind of comeback story unfold.