Julie Chrisley Breaks Silence on Presidential Pardon in First Interview Since Prison Release

“He Did It, He Signed It”: Todd Chrisley Recounts Emotional Moment of Pardon in Prison

Pensacola, FL – In the starkly contrasting environment of a federal prison, an unexpected wave of emotion washed over Todd Chrisley, the patriarch of the reality television family from “Chrisley Knows Best,” as he learned of his and his wife Julie’s presidential pardon.

The typically boisterous television personality was overcome with emotion, a moment he has since described as a chaotic whirlwind of disbelief, joy, and profound gratitude.

The life-altering news was delivered via a fraught phone call with his daughter, Savannah, who had been a tireless advocate for her parents’ release.

“I called Savannah one more time and she said, ‘He did it, he signed it,'” Chrisley recounted. The confirmation that President Donald Trump had indeed granted their clemency triggered an immediate and visceral reaction. “I just started busting out crying,” he admitted.

The sudden outburst of tears in a place where displays of vulnerability are often met with suspicion drew the attention of his fellow inmates. “Everyone was looking around,” Chrisley explained, noting the general apprehension that pervades prison life.

“Unfortunately, most of the news that you get in prison is bad news.” In his daze, he abruptly ended the call with his daughter. “I just hung up. I was so nervous that I just hung up. It was the craziest thing.”

As he made his way through the prison, still reeling from the news, the reactions from those around him were a mixture of concern and dawning realization.

“They’re like, ‘Are you okay?’ I’m like, ‘I am, I’m getting out of here, I’m getting out of here,'” Chrisley recalled of his almost delirious state. The gravity of the situation began to settle in when another inmate astutely observed, “Man, I think you just got pardoned.”

The official confirmation came shortly after from a corrections officer who found Chrisley in his dorm. “Are you good?” the officer inquired, to which a still-processing Chrisley replied, “As good as I can be.

” The officer’s next words solidified the monumental shift in Chrisley’s reality: “Todd, you just got pardoned. They sent me down here to make sure you’re okay.”

For Chrisley, the news was more than just a legal reprieve; he views it as a moment of divine intervention. “Well, they don’t need to be worrying about me now, hell if I’m pardoned I’m great,” he quipped, his characteristic humor beginning to return.

He expressed deep gratitude to a higher power and to the former president. “We owe thanks to God… and God touched President Trump’s heart, God led the people to advocate for us,” he stated.

Reflecting on his time behind bars, Chrisley shared a glimpse into his daily prayers. “Every night I would pray that God would return me home to my wife and my children and he did that, so I’m grateful.”

Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted in 2022 on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion and had been serving their respective sentences since January 2023. Their pardon in May 2025 marked the end of a tumultuous chapter for the family that had played out both in the courtroom and in the public eye.