No "glitter, stars and glam": Santos dismisses critics after Trump commutation
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George Santos exits federal court in New York on April 25. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) said Sunday he found out that President Trump had commuted his sentence from a news story playing on a prison television.
The big picture: Trump's commutation of Santos' seven-year sentence for charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft sparked a flood of criticism, including from fellow New York Republicans.
- In a Truth Social post announcing his clemency action, Trump wrote that "at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!" and claimed he had been "horribly mistreated."
Driving the news: In a Sunday appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" less than two days after Trump's announcement, Santos said the commutation came as a "surprise."
- Santos said he had been served "a very large slice of humble pie." But he argued his sentence was "disproportionate" and called for his former campaign staffer to also receive a commutation.
- "This isn't about ... glitter, stars and glam or going back to Congress," he said, adding, "This is a very personal journey and road for me ahead."
Catch up quick: Santos, who was expelled from Congress in a historic 2023 vote, was released from prison after serving less than three months of a more than seven-year sentence.
- He pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in his federal fraud case, avoiding a trial. He had faced 23 federal criminal charges, to which he previously pleaded not guilty.
- A head-turning House Ethics Committee report released in 2023 alleged that Santos "blatantly stole" from his campaign and included accusations that he misused funds for lavish trips, botox and OnlyFans.
Flashback: In April, after receiving his 87-month sentence, Santos wrote that "7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence."
- He continued, "I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove I'm more than the mistakes I've made." On Friday, Trump gave him what he requested.
Zoom in: Asked about criticism that his commutation was an example of the president rewarding another political ally, Santos said "there's always going to be critics," adding, "I'm pretty confident if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ off the off the cross, he would have had critics."
What they're saying: Asked on ABC's "This Week" about the president's commutation of Santos' sentence, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who voted against expelling Santos, pointed instead to former President Joe Biden's pardons for his family members.
- He argued Santos' Republican voting record was not part of the reasoning behind his commutation, despite the president citing Santos' "Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence" to vote with the GOP.
- "I hope Mr. Santos makes the most of his second chance," Johnson said.
What we're watching: Santos, 37, said he does not foresee making any political runs — at least for the next decade.
- "I'm all politicked out," he said.
Go deeper: George Santos turns to Cameo after House expulsion
