In a move that has ignited both praise and controversy, former President Donald Trump announced he will pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley—the stars of the reality television series Chrisley Knows Best—after the couple was convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. The decision, revealed in a video posted to X by Trump communications advisor Margo Martin, marks yet another high-profile pardon by the former president as he continues to challenge what he calls an “unjust justice system.”

Speaking via phone to the Chrisleys’ daughter, Savannah Chrisley, Trump expressed sympathy for the family’s ordeal. “It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean,” Trump told Savannah. “I hope we can do it by tomorrow,” he added. Though he admitted he doesn’t personally know the Chrisleys, he offered his regards and emphasized his desire to see justice served.

The Chrisleys were found guilty by a federal jury in Georgia of conspiring to defraud banks out of more than $36 million in personal loans. Prosecutors alleged that Todd and Julie submitted fake financial documents to secure funding to support their lavish lifestyle, while also conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Todd was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie received a 7-year sentence.

The couple’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, has been publicly campaigning for her parents’ release for months. She told People magazine in February that she was “going through the proper channels” to seek a pardon. Her efforts included a visit to the White House for lunch and a speaking appearance at the Republican National Convention, where she sharply criticized the prosecution of her parents. Earlier this month, she also appeared on My View, a Fox News talk show hosted by Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

White House spokesman Harrison Fields released a statement Tuesday night defending Trump’s decision: “The President 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.”

Critics of the pardon argue that the Chrisleys’ convictions were the result of a fair legal process and that the decision undermines accountability for white-collar crime. However, supporters view the move as a compassionate correction of an overly harsh punishment. “This pardon corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community,” said Alex Little, an attorney for the Chrisleys and a partner at Litson PLLC.

Trump has a history of issuing headline-grabbing pardons, often involving controversial figures or high-profile cases. During his first term, he pardoned former campaign aide Roger Stone, ex-National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, and Charles Kushner—the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner—among others. His critics accuse him of using the pardon power as a political weapon, while supporters argue he’s correcting wrongs within a broken justice system.

As the Chrisleys prepare to return home, the broader public debate over Trump’s use of pardons is likely to continue—especially as the former president remains a central figure in American politics and continues to tease a possible return to office.

For now, the Chrisley family is celebrating. “This means everything,” Savannah said in a post on Instagram following the announcement. “Thank you, President Trump. My family finally gets the justice they deserve.”

With the legal battle now in the past, Todd and Julie Chrisley may soon resume their lives outside of prison, offering their reality show fans—and critics—a dramatic new chapter in an already tumultuous story.