On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos, who was originally sentenced to over seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to fraud and identity theft. Santos, 35, was convicted of deceiving his donors and stealing the identities of individuals, including family members, to fund his political campaign.
Joseph Murray, one of Santos's lawyers, confirmed that the former lawmaker was released from the Federal Correctional Institution located in Fairton, New Jersey. He left the facility around 11 p.m. on the same day and was met by family members outside the prison gates.
Santos was sentenced in April after admitting to various acts of deception, including falsely claiming to be a successful business consultant. During his time in prison, he was housed in a minimum-security camp and wrote regularly to a local Long Island newspaper, where he voiced complaints regarding the prison conditions and made a personal appeal to Trump for his release.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump remarked that while Santos might have been deemed a "rogue," many similar individuals in the country are not subjected to such strict punishment. He added, "I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY," wishing Santos good luck and a great life ahead.
Santos's Twitter account reposted Trump's announcement, further highlighting the ongoing communication he maintained during his incarceration. Trump's decision to grant clemency to Santos arrives amidst a pattern of issuing pardons and commutations to other Republican figures, as the president has recently shown support for former party members facing legal troubles.
Throughout his short congressional career, Santos gained notoriety for fabricating significant parts of his background. After being elected as the first openly gay Republican to Congress in 2022, his tenure was marred by discoveries that he had lied about many aspects of his life, including his education and professional experiences. In fact, Santos struggled financially and was even facing eviction during his campaign.
After pleading guilty in 2023 to several charges, including fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits, Santos was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, making him one of only six members in history to be ousted by their colleagues. While some Republican figures supported his release, others, like U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, opposed the decision, claiming that Santos's actions warranted more substantial punishment.
The clemency order appears to eliminate not just Santos's prison time but also any associated fines, restitution, probation, or other conditions stipulated in his plea agreement. Santos was required to pay $373,750 in restitution and forfeit an additional $205,003 as part of his guilty plea.
In his justification for commuting Santos's sentence, Trump stated that Santos's deceptive behavior was no more egregious than misleading statements made by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal regarding his military service. Trump also emphasized that Santos consistently voted for Republican policies, viewing that as a testament to his loyalty to the party.
While Trump faces his own legal challenges, including a conviction in a New York court for hush-money payments, his continued support for Santos showcases his willingness to stand by contentious figures within the Republican party, reinforcing the complex dynamics of loyalty and accountability in politics.
