R&B singer Robert Sylvester Kelly popularly known as R. Kelly has taken a new step in his legal battle by asking President Donald Trump to reduce his 31-year federal prison sentence. The singer submitted a formal request for clemency through the White House pardon attorney’s office as he continues to seek relief from his lengthy prison term.
According to records from the White House pardon attorney’s office, Kelly recently filed a request for a sentence commutation.
The application seeks a reduction in Kelly’s sentence rather than a full pardon. It relates to his federal convictions for racketeering, sex trafficking, and child sexual abuse. 
According to Rolling Stone, a White House official said the administration has received R. Kelly’s clemency request as one of many petitions and is not treating it differently from the others.
The official explained that the White House reviews all clemency requests through a standard process before the president makes a final decision.
“This appears to be a routine submission through the public portal, which allows anyone to submit an application” the official explains.
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The official added that filing a pardon or commutation request does not indicate any outcome and that the White House is not currently tracking Kelly’s application as a priority.
“The submission of a pardon request should not be interpreted to mean anything other than an individual has chosen to submit a request. The team that reviews clemency requests at the White House is not tracking this request at this time. The White House has a thorough review process for all clemency requests, with the President being the ultimate decider,” the official said.
In June 2025, Kelly’s lawyer, Beau Brindley, filed a motion for a new trial and requested his client’s immediate release on bond, citing health concerns and an alleged threat to his life.
Brindley claimed prison officials denied Kelly treatment for dangerous blood clots in his lungs. He also alleged that an inmate described as a white supremacist said prison officials recruited him to harm the singer.
Last month, Brindley announced plans to appeal directly to Trump for assistance.
A federal court in New York convicted Kelly of racketeering and sex trafficking in 2021.
In February 2023, another federal court sentenced him to 20 years in prison on child pornography and enticement charges.
Kelly is currently serving a combined 31-year sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina. Authorities say he will become eligible for release in January 2046.
The sentence runs concurrently with a separate 30-year prison term a New York court imposed on July 29, 2022.
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