Joe Exotic, the flamboyant star of Netflix’s Tiger King, is back in the headlines with a desperate plea for freedom from prison, made straight to President Donald Trump, as The Hill reports.

Currently behind bars with a hefty 22-year sentence for a murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin, Joseph Maldonado, as he’s legally known, is once again asking for a presidential pardon with support from notable figures like Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado.

Maldonado’s saga began with his January 2020 sentencing, a bombshell moment that turned the eccentric zookeeper into a symbol of legal overreach for some conservative circles.

While the left cheers for progressive causes, many on the right see his case as a glaring example of a justice system that’s more show than substance. Let’s dig into the timeline of this wild ride.

From zoo king to prison cell

Back in September 2020, during Trump’s first term, Maldonado made his initial plea for a pardon, hoping to escape the bars of his cage. Trump’s response at the time was a casual “take a look,” which, while vague, kept hope alive for Maldonado’s supporters. But no dice -- freedom remained out of reach.

Fast forward to 2021, and Maldonado tried again under then-President Joe Biden, only to be met with silence. His frustration boiled over as he watched Biden grant blanket pardons to family members, a move that many conservatives view as a stark display of elitist favoritism. Maldonado’s quip, “If I were a crack dealer,” hints at his belief that connections trump justice every time.

“Maybe if I broke in the capital or even had been related to the Bidens, I might have gotten some relief on being in prison, innocent,” he fumed in January.

Well, Joe, it’s hard to argue that the system doesn’t seem to have two sets of rules—one for the well-connected and another for the rest of us. This kind of disparity is exactly why trust in institutions is at rock bottom.

Pardon envy, public support

This spring, Maldonado’s irritation flared again when Trump pardoned reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley for tax evasion and fraud charges.

Why them and not him, he wondered aloud, pointing to what he sees as a justice system that picks winners and losers based on fame or fortune. It’s a fair question for those of us skeptical of how power operates behind closed doors.

“This officially shows the Justice system is still two-sided,” Maldonado posted on Instagram on May 27. “You are either rich and connected or you're poor and being trafficked by the system.” His words sting with a raw truth that resonates with many who feel the deck is stacked against the little guy.

Adding to his woes, Maldonado’s recent appeal for a new trial was flat-out denied, as noted in his latest pardon request this week. It’s another blow to a man who’s become a lightning rod for debates about fairness in sentencing. For conservatives wary of government overreach, this feels like piling on.

Boebert backs Tiger King

Enter Rep. Lauren Boebert, a staunch conservative voice in Congress, who signaled her support for a pardon earlier this year. Her backing, alongside voices from millions of fans worldwide, gives Maldonado’s plea a bit of political muscle. It’s refreshing to see elected officials willing to challenge the status quo on behalf of someone the system seems determined to crush.

Maldonado himself has called on Trump “to listen to the voices of Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo.) and other public figures as well as the millions of people around the world to make this right and allow me to go home.” It’s a heartfelt appeal, though skeptics on the left might roll their eyes at the idea of pardoning a convicted felon. But isn’t the pardon power meant for moments of mercy, especially when the punishment seems disproportionate?

For many on the right, Maldonado’s case isn’t just about one man -- it’s about a broader fight against a justice system that often seems more interested in headlines than fairness. His 22-year sentence for a plot that never came to fruition raises eyebrows when compared to lighter penalties for other high-profile crimes. Is this justice, or just a circus for the cameras?

A call for conservative mercy

As conservatives, we often champion law and order, but we also value redemption and second chances when the system oversteps. Maldonado’s repeated pleas for a pardon aren’t just cries for personal freedom -- they’re a challenge to rethink how justice is applied in a world obsessed with political correctness over principle. Perhaps it’s time to cut through the noise and consider if 22 years fits the crime.

While the progressive agenda pushes for reforms that often ignore personal responsibility, there’s a case to be made here for balance -- holding Maldonado accountable while questioning if the punishment matches the offense. Trump has shown a willingness to use his pardon power for those caught in the crosshairs of a flawed system, as seen with the Chrisleys. Will Joe Exotic be next on that list?

Ultimately, this story isn’t just about a quirky reality star with a penchant for big cats -- it’s about whether the justice system serves the people or simply serves itself. For those of us tired of double standards and bureaucratic heavy-handedness, Maldonado’s fight for freedom is a reminder that sometimes the underdog deserves a roar of support. Let’s see if Trump hears this one.