On Wednesday night, Todd and Julie Chrisley walked out of federal prison, a day after President Trump announced his decision to pardon the reality television stars. The couple had been serving sentences for tax evasion, with Todd, 56, completing just over two years of a 12-year term at FPC Pensacola in Florida, while Julie, 52, was released from FMC Lexington in Kentucky after serving part of her seven-year sentence.
“We will forever be grateful that we have an administration that is reuniting families,” Savannah Chrisley, their daughter, expressed to reporters outside the Florida facility as she awaited her father's release. Her emotional remarks highlighted her appreciation for the pardon.
In 2023, the Chrisleys were convicted of tax fraud, found guilty of fabricating documents to secure over $30 million in loans before declaring bankruptcy. Their case drew significant media attention and public scrutiny.
President Trump’s announcement on Tuesday set the stage for their release. He described their sentences as “pretty harsh treatment” during a phone call with Savannah from the Oval Office. “This should not have happened,” he stated, emphasizing his belief that the couple faced undue consequences.
“Your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump reassured Savannah, whom he had never met. “I don’t know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.”
Since their conviction, Savannah has actively advocated for her parents, even addressing the Republican National Convention in 2024 to argue that they were “persecuted by rogue prosecutors” due to their conservative beliefs.
Having recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary on May 25, Todd and Julie have not communicated since entering prison in 2023, according to Savannah. However, she indicated that once they return home, the family plans to resume their television careers with a new Lifetime show that will cover their experiences during this tumultuous period.
“It’s all God and President Trump at this point,” Savannah concluded, reflecting on the pivotal role both played in her parents' release.
