In a significant and controversial decision, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to grant full presidential pardons to reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their hit show Chrisley Knows Best. The announcement quickly ignited debates across legal, political, and media landscapes, as critics and supporters weigh the implications.
The Chrisleys: From TV Fame to Federal Conviction
Todd and Julie Chrisley rose to national attention through their long-running reality series that portrayed the couple as part of a devout, Southern, affluent family. The show built a large fan base by showcasing their luxurious lifestyle and tight-knit family values.
However, in 2022, the couple faced serious legal challenges. They were convicted of orchestrating a complex scheme to defraud banks in Atlanta out of over $30 million through false loan applications and tax evasion. Todd Chrisley received a 12-year prison sentence, while Julie was sentenced to seven years, along with a court order to repay $17.8 million in restitution.
Despite an appeal that upheld their convictions, Julie’s case was sent back to a lower court for resentencing due to an error in calculating her punishment.
Trump’s Call and the “Trump Knows Best” Remark
The news of their upcoming pardon was delivered in dramatic fashion. According to the White House, Donald Trump personally called Savannah Chrisley, the couple’s daughter, to deliver the news. During the call, Trump jokingly said, “Trump Knows Best!”—a play on the family’s reality show title.
Sources indicate the official pardon paperwork has not yet been signed, but a senior administration official confirmed to the Associated Press that the clemency is imminent.
Why This Matters: Pardon Power and Political Symbolism
This is not the first time Donald Trump has used the presidential pardon power to benefit high-profile or politically sympathetic figures. Just days earlier, Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former sheriff in Virginia convicted of bribery and conspiracy. He also pardoned Paul Walczak, a Florida executive linked to a controversial political scandal involving Ashley Biden’s personal diary.
The Chrisleys’ legal team and supporters argue that the couple’s sentencing was politically motivated. Attorney Alex Little praised Trump’s decision, calling it “a correction of deep injustice” and suggesting the government unfairly targeted the couple due to their “conservative values and public persona.”
Mixed Public Reactions
Reactions to the pardon have been deeply divided. Some praised the move as an act of compassion, while others condemned it as preferential treatment for the wealthy and well-connected.
Lance Wilson, a policy director from the Anti Police-Terror Project, criticized the decision on social media, writing:
“The Chrisleys defrauded banks out of $36 million—and they’re walking away. Meanwhile, Black Americans are serving life for far lesser crimes. This isn’t justice; it’s privilege.”
Meanwhile, supporters like Savannah Chrisley have long campaigned for their release. Speaking earlier this year at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Savannah referenced how prosecutors had allegedly labeled the Chrisleys as “the Trumps of the South”, a title she said she embraced with pride.
In interviews, she has repeatedly expressed confidence in her family’s innocence and claimed that the legal process was biased and riddled with errors.
What Comes Next
While the final documents are still pending, the pardons are expected to erase the couple’s criminal records, nullify their sentences, and cancel all remaining fines. This will allow the Chrisleys to regain their freedom and begin a new phase of life focused on recovery and rebuilding their public image.
Legal experts suggest the decision may spark a wave of renewed scrutiny around the use of clemency powers by presidents, especially when applied to individuals with strong media or political influence.
For Todd and Julie Chrisley, it may mark the end of a long legal battle—but for the American public, it reopens ongoing questions about justice, fairness, and presidential power.
Harvkat News has contacted Savannah Chrisley through her real estate company for a comment and will update this article with any response.
President Trump calls Savannah Chrisley to tell her that he is pardoning her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley.
“Trump Knows Best.”
Incredible. 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/QmPlrFdKyx
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47)
May 27, 2025
Stay tuned to Harvkat News for further developments.
