In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced he is commuting the prison sentence of George Santos, a former Republican Congressman from New York. Trump took to Truth Social to express his belief that Santos should be freed without delay.
“George has faced solitary confinement for extended periods, and there are so many accounts of his mistreatment,” Trump wrote in a post on Friday evening. “I’ve signed a commutation releasing George Santos from prison immediately. Best wishes to George—live well!”
Although Trump referred to Santos as a bit of a “rogue,” he also called him a “Great Hero.” A top official from the White House mentioned to NBC News that the President received input from various people before making this decision, underscoring that ultimately, it was his authority to do so.
Santos’s legal troubles began in 2023, culminating in his arrest for charges including wire fraud and money laundering. He ultimately pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, leading to an 87-month sentence and a hefty fine. He started serving time in New Jersey back in July.
His political journey was a rollercoaster ride. Elected in 2022 after flipping a Democratic seat in Long Island, Santos quickly became a controversial figure. Reports highlighting significant inconsistencies in his resume had surfaced before the election, but it wasn’t until The New York Times did a deeper dive post-election that exposed even more discrepancies.
Investigations by the House Ethics Committee later indicated that Santos misused campaign funds for personal pleasures, including luxury items and even Botox treatments. In December 2023, the House officially voted to expel him from Congress.
According to Santos’s lawyer, the ex-representative is “overjoyed” and deeply grateful to Trump for recognizing and acting upon the “suffering” depth he faced during the legal process, labeling the initial sentence as inherently “draconian.” NBC News shared these sentiments from Santos’s attorney.
Originally published on MSNBC.com
