Washington | President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) fully pardoned reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted three years ago of evading taxes and defrauding banks of about $US36 million ($56 million) to support their luxurious lifestyle.

The pardon is the latest instance of Trump using his clemency power to settle grievances over what he calls the political weaponisation of the justice system. Trump, in notifying the Chrisleys’ daughter, Savannah, called their treatment “pretty harsh”, as shown in a video clip of their call posted to social media by one of the president’s special assistants.