Podcast Summary: "Am I Asking For A Presidential Pardon?" | Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley
Episode Overview
In the February 19, 2025 episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley, Savannah opens up about her family's tumultuous legal battle, her efforts to secure a presidential pardon for her parents, and her upcoming appearances at significant political events. This episode provides an intimate look into Savannah's fight for justice, the systemic issues within the criminal justice system, and the profound personal impact on her family.
1. Urgent Appeal and Upcoming Events
Timestamp: [00:15]
Savannah begins the episode by announcing an unexpected urgent podcast release, emphasizing the necessity to "clear the air" and present the truth about her parents' situation. She shares her participation in two major events scheduled for February 22nd:
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CPAC Speech in Washington D.C.: Savannah will speak about criminal justice reform and the personal impact of the system on her family.
"I believe it's our responsibility to take every hardship and adversity we go through and turn it around and use it to our advantage and make a difference in people's lives." [01:20]
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Event at Mar-a-Lago: She will attend a foundation event supporting her friend Giano Caldwell, highlighting her commitment to charitable work.
Savannah expresses honor and determination in representing her family's story and advocating for meaningful change within the justice system.
2. The Legal Battle: Fighting for Her Parents
Timestamp: [02:45]
Savannah delves into the specifics of her parents' legal predicament, outlining the perceived injustice and corruption that led to their prosecution. She highlights public reactions, including both support and criticism, and clarifies that her pursuit of a pardon is grounded in seeking truth and justice rather than privilege.
"I am, in fact, asking President Trump for a pardon for clemency to get my parents home, to right a wrong and reunite a family." [10:15]
3. Exposing Prosecutorial Misconduct
Timestamp: [04:30]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to detailing the alleged misconduct in her parents' case. Savannah presents evidence of bias and corruption, particularly focusing on:
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Personal Animus: The role of Josh Waits, former Chief Criminal Investigator of the Georgia Department of Revenue, whose personal vendetta is evidenced by placing Todd Chrisley's photo on his office dartboard.
"Their prosecution exemplifies the weaponization of justice against conservatives and public figures, eroding basic constitutional protections." [07:50]
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Illegal Raids and Evidence Seizure: Savannah describes how an illegal raid led to the seizure of her parents' documents without proper warrants, undermining the legitimacy of the prosecution's case.
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False Testimony and Immunized Witness: She accuses federal prosecutors of utilizing unreliable testimony from Mark Braddock, an immunized witness, and IRS officer Betty Carter, who falsely claimed her parents owed taxes they had already paid.
"Prosecutors knowingly permitted false testimony from an IRS officer regarding the Chrisley's tax obligations, claiming that the Chrisley's owed taxes for several years when in reality they had fully paid their taxes." [09:35]
4. Personal and Family Impact
Timestamp: [15:10]
Savannah shares the devastating effects her parents' incarceration has had on her family:
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Children's Welfare: At 27, Savannah is now the primary caregiver for her younger siblings, Grayson (18) and Chloe (12), who have been profoundly affected by their parents' absence.
"Chloe looked at me and said, is it our turn next? And when she said it, I had to like, turn my face and like, try not to cry because I see in her a child that just wants her mom and dad home." [08:55]
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Grandparents' Health: The declining health of her grandparents adds another layer of urgency to her plea, as she fears losing her family members before reuniting with her parents.
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Emotional Toll: Savannah recounts heart-wrenching moments, such as witnessing her mother say goodbye to her son Grayson, underscoring the emotional strain on the entire family.
"When I saw Grayson cry, I can get through just about anything. But Grayson truly is like my whole world." [10:50]
5. Mission for Justice and Future Plans
Timestamp: [25:00]
Beyond seeking a pardon for her parents, Savannah outlines her broader mission to reform the criminal justice system. She emphasizes her dedication to:
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Advocacy for Accountability: Ensuring that those in power are held accountable for abuses and that the system upholds constitutional rights.
"I'm fighting for justice for my parents, fighting to create a system that holds people accountable." [07:15]
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Continued Activism: Regardless of the outcome for her parents, Savannah pledges to persist in her efforts to dismantle systemic issues, leveraging her platform to inspire others to take action.
"My mission is to completely dismantle the BoP. I cannot wait until new leadership is in place for us to create a system for rehabilitation and not abuse." [10:30]
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Educational Outreach: Encouraging others to stay informed and proactive in safeguarding their rights, Savannah aims to foster a community of informed and resilient individuals.
6. Critical Examination of the Justice System
Timestamp: [30:00]
Savannah provides a comprehensive critique of the justice system, highlighting:
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Fourth Amendment Violations: She explains how her parents' case involved unconstitutional searches and seizures, lacking proper warrants and justification.
"This corrupt behavior has become all too common, similar to the politically fueled legal attacks President Trump has faced." [05:00]
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Judicial Bias: The role of the Obama-appointed judge is scrutinized for showing clear bias during resentencing, particularly in reaction to Savannah's political speech, which the judge deemed irrelevant to her parents' sentencing.
"The court devoted significant time to criticizing Savannah's public statements instead of addressing the relevant sentencing factors mandated by statute." [08:25]
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Systemic Failures: Savannah references reports and official documents that expose the depth of misconduct and the lengths to which authorities went to secure a conviction, despite lacking credible evidence.
7. Emotional Plea and Call to Action
Timestamp: [45:00]
In her final remarks, Savannah makes a heartfelt plea to President Trump and her listeners to support her quest for her parents' freedom. She underscores the importance of mercy, second chances, and the restoration of her family's unity.
"Please, Mr. President, bring my parents home. Let them continue their work to make this world a better place. Let our family heal and be whole again." [50:30]
Savannah encourages her audience to empathize with her situation, urging them to "put yourself in our shoes" and approach her appeal with compassion and understanding. She calls for collective action to address and rectify the injustices faced by her family.
Conclusion
In this powerful episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley, Savannah provides an unfiltered and compelling narrative of her family's struggle within a flawed justice system. Through detailed accounts of prosecutorial misconduct, personal sacrifices, and unwavering determination, she invites listeners to not only support her parents' pardon but also to engage in broader conversations about justice reform. Savannah's story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the enduring strength of family bonds.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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"I believe it's our responsibility to take every hardship and adversity we go through and turn it around and use it to our advantage and make a difference in people's lives." [01:20]
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"I am, in fact, asking President Trump for a pardon for clemency to get my parents home, to right a wrong and reunite a family." [10:15]
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"Their prosecution exemplifies the weaponization of justice against conservatives and public figures, eroding basic constitutional protections." [07:50]
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"Chloe looked at me and said, is it our turn next? And when she said it, I had to like, turn my face and like, try not to cry because I see in her a child that just wants her mom and dad home." [08:55]
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"I'm fighting for justice for my parents, fighting to create a system that holds people accountable." [07:15]
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"Please, Mr. President, bring my parents home. Let them continue their work to make this world a better place. Let our family heal and be whole again." [50:30]
Final Thoughts
Savannah Chrisley's candid and heartfelt discussion in this episode sheds light on the personal and systemic challenges her family faces. Her dedication to seeking justice and reform serves as an inspiration for listeners to advocate for fairness and accountability within the criminal justice system.
