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R. Kelly is taking his fight for freedom straight to the top again.

The disgraced singer has made a major move behind bars, one that could significantly impact the years he still has left to serve.

R. Kelly is speaking out, and what he’s saying has already stirred up plenty of new questions about his case.

R. Kelly’s Attorney Officially Files Clemency Petition With The DOJ

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R. Kelly is formally asking President Trump to commute his combined 31-year sentence, according to his attorney, Beau Brindley. The petition was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney after months of preparation.

The sentence stems from two separate 2021 and 2022 convictions, one in Brooklyn tied to racketeering, sexual exploitation of children, and Mann Act violations, and another in Chicago involving child pornography charges.

Brindley argued the use of racketeering charges amounted to prosecutorial overreach, claiming Kelly was unfairly targeted as a public figure rather than pursued through standard justice channels.

TMZ reported that the attorney also pointed to Kelly’s deteriorating health, citing a blood clot in his neck among other serious medical issues, as additional grounds for his release.

Donald Trump’s Growing List Of Pardons Includes Reality Stars And A Rapper

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R. Kelly’s request comes after dozens of other clemencies from President Trump since he was elected. One of the more prominent was reality TV couple Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were completely granted clemency after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in May.

Rapper NBA YoungBoy also received a pardon that same week, following weapons charges tied to his status as a convicted felon. Both cases involved public figures with large followings, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed as Kelly’s own petition moves forward.

With Trump’s willingness to grant clemency to such high-profile names, some believe R. Kelly’s case may carry more weight than it otherwise would.

R. Kelly’s Bid May Hinge On Trump’s Unpredictable Approach To Clemency

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Unlike a typical legal appeal, Trump’s clemency process often bypasses standard DOJ channels entirely, relying instead on personal discretion rather than a formal review. In several cases, the president has granted pardons following personal calls or existing relationships rather than lengthy legal proceedings.

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, for example, was pardoned years after appearing on Trump’s reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” with the two having built a rapport long before his release. Larry Hoover’s commutation also came without a traditional hearing, despite the severity of his convictions, according to PEOPLE.

Given how personal and unpredictable the process has proven to be, R. Kelly’s legal team may be counting on more than just the facts of his case to sway a final decision.

The Singer Was Recently Sent Back To Solitary Confinement

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R. Kelly’s ongoing legal battle comes as his time behind bars continues to grow more turbulent. He was recently placed back into solitary confinement after a retired prison warden’s phone number was discovered in his cell, according to his attorney, Beau Brindley.

Brindley contended that the number was a coincidence due to Kelly’s involvement in a mentor program, but that it was not an intentional violation of the rules. The incident occurred after his cellmate was caught with contraband and officials searched the cell, putting Kelly in isolation until they were able to investigate.

This isn’t Kelly’s first stint in solitary. His attorney has previously accused prison officials of orchestrating a murder plot against him, claiming Kelly was dangerously overdosed on medication before being hospitalized, The Blast reports.

R. Kelly’s Fiancée Insists She’s Not A Victim

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Amid his legal battles, R. Kelly’s personal life has also come under scrutiny after his alleged fiancée’s family made troubling claims about her well-being. Joycelyn Savage’s relatives alleged she was still under Kelly’s control, claiming they hadn’t spoken to her in years.

Savage pushed back publicly, insisting she is neither a victim nor being held against her will. She said her relationship with Kelly has only grown stronger, revealing they’ve been engaged for three years and hope to marry and start a family together.

Kelly’s attorney dismissed the family’s claims as a distraction, stating his focus remained on securing his client’s freedom through a federal pardon, as reported by The Blast.

With so many unresolved threads still surrounding his case, will R. Kelly ever truly walk free?

The R. Kelly Bids Trump For Clemency While Slamming The DOJ For Abuse Of Power first appeared on The Blast