Todd Chrisleys Remembers Blaming God For Legal Troubles And Life Behind Bars

Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley, were initially sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison in 2022 on charges of bank and tax fraud.  Nevertheless, the truth TV couple’s sentences were nullified through a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Although Todd Chrisley is having fun with his freedom today, the Chrisley patriarch revealed life behind bars was a difficult challenge—one which even tested his relationship with God.

“I used to be indignant at God,” Todd said in ABC’s latest special, “The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup.” “And after I went to bed [my first night in prison] and the lights went out, I cried myself to sleep and I said, ‘God, why are you allowing this?'”

Within the special, Todd also discussed how drastically his perspective modified while behind bars.

“You do not realize the things that you simply took with no consideration until you do not have it,” the 56-year-old shared. “So your freedom, your ability to go to church, your ability to exit to eat, you already know, to remain in your bed all day, those things are taken from you, so when you’ve them back, it is a blessing.”

Elsewhere within the interview, Todd reiterated his feelings about finally being free, adding that his time spent behind bars had modified his outlook on many things.

“If it didn’t change you, you then’re not human,” he said.

And although Trump pardoned the Chrisleys, Todd continues to be harboring feelings of resentment toward the legal system. “I still was convicted of something that I didn’t do,” he said.

“It may very well be you, it may very well be you, it may very well be any of you, and somewhere on this room, someone has had a member of the family that has been affected by the system. So I understand the shame that is around it, but I refuse to feed into that, because shame is sort of a cancer that just spreads, and I actually have no shame,” he proclaimed.

In actual fact, Todd maintained his innocence through the ABC special, saying, “I do not have an apology to present you or anyone else over the cash that I’ve made.”

In a separate interview, Todd also spoke fondly of President Trump and recalled what he felt when he learned the previous reality star could be elected into the White House.

“We were all glued to the tv,” the “Chrisley Knows Best” star said about him and his fellow inmates. “After they finally announced that he was the winner, everyone there began screaming and yelling because they knew, they felt of their spirit that if President Trump wins this election, there’s hope for all of us.”

Savannah had an analogous experience and recalled “sobbing” together with her brother, Grayson Chrisley.

“Grayson and I watched the election together, and he got to vote within the election for the primary time. And after we were watching it and we saw the president win, we each began sobbing,” the 27-year-old shared. “And he just grabbed me and hugged me because we knew that was our only way out.”

Nevertheless, the pardon might not be enough to heal all family wounds, as Todd’s oldest son, Kyle (from his first wife), previously expressed hope that his father’s release would help mend their strained relationship.

“I do know they can not wait to get home and just be with family,” Kyle said, “and I’ll remain hopeful that one other reconciliation is feasible.”

Nevertheless, Savannah noted in a 2024 statement that Todd had “every reason” not to speak with Kyle, adding, “Simply because it is your child doesn’t suggest that you’ve to just accept abuse.”

On Instagram, many fans shared their well wishes with the Chrisleys after seeing their family finally reunited.

“So blissful for you guys! Labor, faith, and consistency repay,” someone wrote, while one other posted, “I’M SO SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU FAM.”