Todd Chrisley broke his silence in a press conference after being pardoned and released from prison, but his wife, Julie Chrisley, didn’t join him.
Speaking out for the first time on Friday, May 30, Todd, 55, was accompanied by his daughter Savannah Chrisley in Nashville. He revealed to reporters that Julie, 52, was home with their adopted daughter, Chloe.
While addressing President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon him and Julie, Todd “first and foremost” expressed his thanks to God before praising Savannah, 27, for her efforts in helping him get home.
“She has fought a long fight, and for any parent to see their child fight this hard, it’s a double-edged sword. … I will always be grateful to you, [Savannah], from the bottom of my heart,” Todd said, adding that he found “blessings” in the difficult experience.
Todd also asserted his innocence, claiming he “was convicted of something that I did not do.” When asked whether he felt “remorse,” he added, “I would have remorse if it was something that I did.”
Todd and Julie Chrisley Reunite for 1st Time After Prison Release
Trump, 78, told Savannah during a phone call shared via X on Tuesday, May 27, that he intended on releasing her parents as soon as possible.
“It’s a terrible thing but it’s a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump said. “I hope we can do it by tomorrow [Wednesday, May 28]. I don’t know them, but give them my regards. Wish them a good life.”
Todd and Julie were first indicted on charges of tax evasion, bank and wire fraud and conspiracy in 2019. In January 2023, the couple reported to prison to serve a combined 19-year sentence after being found guilty on all counts in June 2022. (Julie was initially sentenced to seven years while Todd was sentenced to 12 years, however each sentence was reduced by almost two years by the end of 2023.)
During Trump’s call with Savannah, who celebrated the news via a statement provided to Us Weekly on Tuesday, he claimed Todd and Julie were given “pretty harsh treatment” before adding, “Congratulate your parents. I hear they’re terrific people. This should not have happened … They have good children. You’re no longer children, but I’ll say it anyway. They have good children, don’t they?”
Savannah Chrisley Reacts to Parents Todd and Julie Chrisley’s Pardon
In Savannah’s statement to Us, she reiterated how the family relentlessly fought for Todd and Julie’s freedom. “Over the past two and a half years, I’ve done everything in my power to fight for my parents’ freedom and bring them home,” Savannah’s statement read. “This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family.”
The reality star and entrepreneur added that the Trump administration “does not hand out favors” and “examines the facts and stands up for what is right” instead.
She also thanked criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson and her parents’ attorney Alex Little for being by her family’s side throughout the ordeal.
Little — who is a partner at Litson PLLC, the firm representing the Chrisleys — also issued a statement after the pardon was announced.
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“This pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community,” Little said on Tuesday. “President Trump recognized what we’ve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias.”
According to Todd and Julie’s legal team, the firm submitted a pardon petition earlier this year claiming there was “serious misconduct by the government” when the Chrisley Knows Best stars were charged.
Litson PLLC alleged that the investigation into the couple included an “illegal raid, reliance on tainted evidence, and a trial that featured false testimony from a key government witness,” per the statement.
