Todd and Julie Chrisley Receive Full Pardons from Donald Trump
Todd and Julie Chrisley just caught a major break in their long-running legal drama — and it came straight from the former President himself.
On Tuesday, May 27, Donald Trump announced he was granting full pardons to the reality TV couple who had been sitting behind bars after being found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud.
The couple — famous for their hit show Chrisley Knows Best — had been doing time since January 2023. But now, their sentences are being wiped clean thanks to Trump, who made the announcement during a phone call with the couple’s children.
“It’s a terrible thing but it’s a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump said during the call. “I hope we can do it by tomorrow.”
The move came after months of speculation. Back in February, the couple’s attorney told NBC that Trump was “seriously” considering stepping in — and now, he finally pulled the trigger.
Why Todd and Julie Chrisley Were in Prison to Begin With
Let’s rewind for a second. In June 2022, Todd and Julie were hit with federal charges after they were accused of using fake documents to defraud Atlanta banks out of more than $30 million in loans. On top of that, they were accused of hiding millions in income they made from their reality show and other ventures, dodging the IRS like it was a game.
Todd was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison. Julie was hit with a 7-year sentence.
But Trump didn’t seem to agree with the outcome. In his announcement, he said the couple faced “a pretty harsh treatment,” signaling he felt their punishment was way out of pocket compared to other white-collar cases.
Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, didn’t escape the fire either. He was sentenced to three years after being found guilty of conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing false returns.
So far, there’s no word if he’ll be joining the Chrisleys with a pardon of his own.
Public Reactions Pour In After Trump’s Chrisley Pardon
As expected, social media has been on fire since the announcement dropped. Some folks are celebrating the Chrisleys’ freedom — especially their die-hard fans who felt they got dealt an unfair hand. Others, though, are calling it another example of Trump using his influence to make big headlines.
Trump’s supporters say he’s just doing what presidents are supposed to do — use their power of clemency for justice. His critics argue it’s just another favor for celebrity culture, especially since thousands of less-famous people are still locked up for similar or even lesser crimes.
The Chrisley kids, who’ve been vocal about their parents’ innocence from day one, haven’t released a full statement yet — but sources close to the family say they’re “overwhelmed with emotion” and planning to share something soon.
Where Do the Chrisleys Go from Here?
With their records officially wiped clean, Todd and Julie Chrisley are reportedly planning their next move. There’s talk of a major sit-down interview, a possible book deal, and — get this — even a reality TV comeback.
The entertainment industry loves a redemption arc, and the Chrisleys are sitting front-row for a potential reboot of their lives. A second chance to tell their side of the story, maybe even with Trump’s backing, could be on the horizon.
And don’t be surprised if this pardon makes its way into Trump’s campaign talking points as he continues to push a narrative of justice reform — especially for public figures who’ve “been wronged by the system.”
