R&B singer R. Kelly’s legal team has announced its intention to seek a pardon from President Donald Trump, citing concerns over the singer’s safety and what they claim are politically motivated prosecutions.
Attorney Beau B. Brindley, representing the embattled singer, told USA TODAY that conversations are already underway with unnamed members of Trump’s inner circle. Brindley believes the former chart-topping artist is a victim of overreach by federal prosecutors, describing the singer’s conviction as the result of a corrupt and targeted campaign similar to what Trump himself has experienced.
“President Trump is the only one with the strength and determination to expose and stop this kind of prosecutorial abuse,” Brindley stated, comparing Kelly’s treatment to the legal attacks Trump has faced during and after the Obama-Biden administration.
R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence following convictions in 2021 and 2022 on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and child exploitation. His sentence includes a 20-year federal prison term handed down in Chicago, one year of which is being served consecutively.
Brindley claims the urgency of a pardon is increasing, citing deteriorating prison conditions. He alleges that following the filing of a legal motion challenging the prosecution, Kelly was placed in solitary confinement, cut off from family communication, and denied access to commissary items.
“He’s been sleeping with spiders crawling over him, hasn’t eaten in two days due to fear of poisoning, and has been told that unless we drop the case, things will only get worse,” Brindley said.
In a separate legal filing on June 11, Kelly’s team accused federal prison officials of involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against the singer, claiming his life is at risk due to his efforts to expose corruption within the Justice Department. They are now pushing for his release into home detention.
“Our client fears for his life,” Brindley said. “Federal officers have allegedly solicited his murder to silence him.”
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
The call for a pardon follows a series of high-profile clemency actions by President Trump in recent weeks. On May 27, he pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of “Chrisley Knows Best,” who had been convicted of bank fraud. A day later, on May 28, Trump also pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy (Kentrell Gaulden), who was serving time for federal firearms violations.
Kelly, now 58, is incarcerated in North Carolina. His legal team insists that only Trump, given his experience with what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions, can intervene decisively.
“We’re calling on President Trump not just to save Robert’s life, but to continue his fight against the weaponization of the justice system,” Brindley concluded.
