The Chrisleys are among the families fortunate enough to have their loved ones pardoned or granted commutations by the president since he took office.
Savannah Chrisley is praising President Donald Trump following the release of her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were granted pardons after serving more than two years in federal prison.
The reality TV star didn’t hold back her gratitude on May 28, addressing the media in a full press conference while dressed head to toe in bright pink MAGA gear. Standing under the Florida sun outside the prison, she tearfully said, “I’m just a daughter who wants to take my dad home with me.”
Donald had personally called Savannah and her brother, Grayson Chrisley, from the Oval Office on Tuesday, May 27, informing them of his plan to pardon their parents.
On the call, Donald said, “It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean. We’ll try getting it done tomorrow, so give them — I don’t know them — but give them my regards and wish them well. Wish them a good life.”
Grayson’s response was, “Mr. President, I just want to say thank you for bringing my parents back.” Just a day later, the Chrisleys walked free, Todd from FPC Pensacola in Florida and Julie from a facility in Kentucky, with their sentences officially wiped out.
Savannah, who’s been publicly campaigning for her parents’ release since their convictions, was overcome with emotion as she spoke about the moment Donald called her. She recounted how the call came through just as she was walking into Sam’s Club, catching her completely off guard.
Donald told her that he was reuniting her family. Savannah described the conversation as “just a human to human interaction,” adding, “yes he is our president but he is also a person with a heart” who genuinely cares about people.
She shared that her parents initially didn’t believe the news, thinking it might be a mistake or a prank. During the call, Donald and Savannah’s brother spoke about the president’s recent commencement speech at the University of Alabama.
The moment felt deeply personal for Savannah, who was visibly emotional and full of admiration. She also expressed her gratitude to Donald’s pardon allies, including Alice Marie Johnson and Ed Martin, who briefly served as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.
Following the announcement, Savannah noted she received a wave of both support and criticism. Some people questioned how she secured the pardon, but she defended herself.
“I didn’t have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and convictions and fight for my parents and what was right,” she explained.
Savannah added, “This president has given people hope — hope in our future, hope in a brighter future, not just for the wealthy or those who’ve campaigned for him. He has truly given everyone a chance at a better life, and for that I will forever be grateful.”
While Savannah waited outside Todd’s prison in Florida, her younger brother Grayson was in Kentucky to pick up their mother, Julie Chrisley. Todd and Julie, stars of the reality series “Chrisley Knows Best,” were sentenced in November 2022 to 12 and seven years, respectively, after being convicted of fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy.
Savannah confirmed that the family has a new reality show in the works, one that will chronicle their legal battle and life post-pardon. “We’re excited. This is — it’s all God. We literally could not have done it. It’s all God and President Trump,” she said.
According to White House spokesperson Harrison Fields, Donald is “always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system.”
Harrison also noted that Donald Trump believed the Chrisleys had received overly severe punishments. Federal prosecutors had accused the couple of submitting falsified financial documents to secure more than $36 million in personal loans from banks in the Atlanta area.
The funds were reportedly used to finance a lavish lifestyle, including expensive cars and luxury travel. Additionally, the government alleged that they defrauded the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), dodging $500,000 in taxes owed by Todd, while earning millions from their reality show. They also reportedly failed to file tax returns or pay any taxes between 2013 and 2016.
Alongside the Chrisleys, Donald granted clemency to another individual, former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins. In March, Scott was sentenced to a decade in prison for accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for awarding auxiliary deputy sheriff positions to several Virginia businessmen.
Donald claimed Scott and his family had suffered greatly at the hands of what he called a corrupt and politically motivated Justice Department under former President Joe Biden. This narrative has shaped many of Donald’s clemency decisions since returning to office.
Since beginning his second term, Donald has pardoned or commuted the sentences of thousands, including around 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.
