He’s out. Honestly, if you haven’t been following the rollercoaster that is the Chrisley family legal saga, the news of the Todd Chrisley release might feel like a sudden plot twist from their old reality show. But for those of us who watched the years of appeals, the prison condition complaints, and Savannah’s tireless campaigning, it’s the climax of a very long, very public drama.
In May 2025, Todd and Julie Chrisley walked out of federal prison. They didn't finish their sentences. Not even close.
Instead, they were granted full presidential pardons by Donald Trump. This move effectively wiped the slate clean on their convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion, ending what was supposed to be a combined 19-year stint behind bars. While their legal team had been fighting in the appellate courts for years, it wasn't a judge who opened the gates—it was a phone call from the White House.
The Pardon That Changed Everything
You probably remember the headlines from 2022. Todd was handed 12 years at FPC Pensacola. Julie got seven. The government’s case was massive, involving allegations of $30 million in fraudulent bank loans and a lifestyle built on money they didn't actually have.
By the time the pardon hit in May 2025, the couple had served about two and a half years.
Savannah Chrisley, who basically became the family’s lead advocate and "acting parent" to Grayson and Chloe, was the one who broke the news. She’d been a regular at political events and vocal on her podcast about the "inhumane" conditions her parents were facing. It clearly worked. Trump reportedly called her directly to deliver the news before the paperwork was even dry.
The reaction was... mixed, to put it lightly.
Critics were furious. They pointed out that a jury had found them guilty on all counts and that an appellate court had already upheld most of those convictions in 2024. But Todd hasn't been shy about it. Since his release, he’s gone on the record saying he doesn't care about the noise. To him, the pardon was a correction of a "gross injustice."
Life After FPC Pensacola
So, where is Todd now?
He’s not exactly hiding. Actually, the night they got home, the cameras were already rolling. The Todd Chrisley release wasn't just a private family moment; it was the series premiere for their new reality venture. They’ve been filming a new show—reportedly for Lifetime—that documents their transition back to "normal" life.
But normal is a relative term when you’ve lost the Nashville mansion and a huge chunk of your reputation.
The Reality of "Starting Over"
- The Finances: Even with a pardon, the IRS doesn't just go away. While the criminal conviction is gone, the civil tax implications and the massive restitution orders ($17 million+) remain a complicated web for their lawyers to untangle.
- The Location: Don't expect to see them back in their old Nashville haunts. Todd has mentioned they have "other plans" and might be looking at a fresh start outside of Tennessee.
- The Look: When Todd first emerged, the "prison bod" was the talk of the internet. He’d clearly been spending his time in the gym at Pensacola before it was shuttered.
One of the weirdest details of the last year of his incarceration was the fact that FPC Pensacola was actually slated for demolition. The facility was in such bad shape—rats, mold, no AC—that the Bureau of Prisons decided to close it down entirely. Savannah had been using those conditions as a major talking point in her pleas for her father's release. Whether the prison's decay helped the case for a pardon is up for debate, but it certainly didn't hurt the narrative.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Legal Side
There's a common misconception that the pardon means they were "innocent." Legally, a pardon is an act of clemency. It doesn't mean the crime didn't happen in the eyes of the court; it means the punishment is over and the legal consequences are removed.
Before the pardon, things were looking pretty grim.
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In June 2024, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals had actually upheld Todd’s conviction. They did throw out Julie’s sentence because of a technicality in how her "loss amount" was calculated, but even after a resentencing hearing in September 2024, a judge gave her the same 84-month term. They were stuck. Without that intervention from the executive branch, Todd would have been looking at a release date in 2032.
Breaking Down the Timeline
- January 2023: Todd and Julie report to separate prisons.
- June 2024: Appeals court upholds Todd's conviction but orders Julie to be resentenced.
- September 2024: Julie is resentenced to the same 7-year term.
- May 2025: President Trump signs the pardons.
- May 2025: Todd and Julie are released and return to Nashville.
- January 2026: The family is currently filming their comeback and navigating the fallout of their public image.
Why the Todd Chrisley Release Still Matters
This case is a fascinating look at the intersection of reality TV fame, the federal justice system, and political influence. Most people convicted of $30 million in fraud don't have a daughter with a massive platform and the ear of a president.
The "Chrisley Knows Best" brand was always about perfection and family values, which is why the fraud conviction hit so hard. Seeing them back on screen in 2026 feels like a time warp. Some fans are thrilled, while others feel like the system was rigged in their favor.
What’s Next for the Family?
If you’re looking for actionable insights into what the Chrisleys are doing now, keep an eye on their social media. They are leaning heavily into the "survivor" narrative.
- Watch for the new show: It’s expected to air later this year and will likely address the prison conditions in detail.
- Follow Savannah's podcast: She’s still the primary source for the "behind the scenes" updates on how the family is actually doing.
- The Legal Fallout: While the prison time is over, the civil lawsuits and debt collectors are likely still circling. Pardons don't pay back the banks.
The story isn't over just because they're home. In many ways, the challenge of rebranding a family that the world saw as "fraudsters" for years is going to be harder than the time spent in a bunk in Florida. They are back, but the court of public opinion is still very much in session.
If you want to understand the full scope of their current situation, you have to look at the restitution orders that haven't vanished. A pardon is powerful, but it's not a magic wand for $17 million in debt. The real test of the Chrisley comeback starts now.
To stay updated on their specific filming locations or the premiere date of the new series, check the official Lifetime press releases or Savannah’s "Unlocked" podcast updates, as they are currently the only verified outlets for the family's direct statements.