Todd Chrisley Recalls Blaming God For Legal Troubles While Crying Himself To Sleep In Prison

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.  However, the reality TV couple's sentences were nullified through a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

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

"I was angry at God," Todd said in ABC's new special, "The Chrisleys: Life After Lockup." "And when 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?'"

In the special, Todd also discussed how drastically his perspective changed while behind bars.

"You don't realize the things that you took for granted until you don't have it," the 56-year-old shared. "So your freedom, your ability to go to church, your ability to go out to eat, you know, to stay in your bed all day, those things are taken from you, so when you have them back, it's a blessing."

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

"If it didn't change you, then you're not human," he said.

And although Trump pardoned the Chrisleys, Todd is still harboring feelings of resentment toward the legal system. "I still was convicted of something that I did not do," he said.

"It could be you, it could be you, it could be any of you, and somewhere in this room, someone has had a family member that has been affected by the system. So I understand the shame that's around it, but I refuse to feed into that, because shame is like a cancer that just spreads, and I have no shame," he proclaimed.

In fact, Todd maintained his innocence during the ABC special, saying, "I don't have an apology to give you or anyone else over the money that I've made."

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

"We were all glued to the television," the "Chrisley Knows Best" star said about him and his fellow inmates. "When they finally announced that he was the winner, everyone there started screaming and yelling because they knew, they felt in their spirit that if President Trump wins this election, there's hope for all of us."

Savannah had a similar experience and recalled "sobbing" with her brother, Grayson Chrisley.

"Grayson and I watched the election together, and he got to vote in the election for the first time. And when we were watching it and we saw the president win, we both started sobbing," the 27-year-old shared. "And he just grabbed me and hugged me because we knew that was our only way out."

However, the pardon may 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 know they can't wait to get home and just be with family," Kyle said, "and I'm going to remain hopeful that another reconciliation is possible."

However, Savannah noted in a 2024 statement that Todd had "every reason" not to communicate with Kyle, adding, "Just because it's your child doesn't mean that you have to accept abuse."

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

"So happy for you guys! Hard work, faith, and consistency pay off," someone wrote, while another posted, "I'M SO SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU FAM."