R. Kelly's long and complex legal battle has taken another twist as he seeks a commutation of his 30-year prison sentence from Donald Trump. In a formal request submitted to the White House, Kelly is asking that his sentence be reduced, rather than seeking a complete pardon.
Kelly is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, where he is being held for convictions related to racketeering and sex trafficking. In 2021, he was found guilty of federal racketeering charges, as well as counts of sexual exploitation of children, kidnapping, forced labour, and sex trafficking. A further conviction in 2022 added six counts of child pornography and enticement of minors for sex, carrying a 20-year sentence that is being served concurrently with his initial term.
The request, which is listed on the US Justice Department's website as pending with the White House Office of the Pardon Attorney, has not been accompanied by publicly available supporting documents. However, a White House official speaking to Rolling Stone clarified that Kelly's submission appears to be a routine entry through a public portal available to anyone.
This is not the first time Kelly's legal team has sought to alter his circumstances. In 2025, his lawyer filed a motion for a new trial and simultaneously requested Kelly's immediate release on bond, citing concerns over alleged threats to his safety and inadequate medical treatment in prison. This request was subsequently dismissed by a federal judge.
The White House official confirmed that clemency requests undergo a thorough review process before being considered by the President, who makes the final decision. At present, Kelly's application appears to be treated as any other public submission, with no special consideration being given beyond the standard procedure.