On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he has commuted the prison sentence of former New York Republican Congressman George Santos, who was convicted of fraud. In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump expressed that Santos has been "horribly mistreated" during his time in prison and stated that he would be released immediately.
George Santos surrendered to a federal prison in New Jersey on July 25, 2023, to begin serving a sentence of over seven years after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and identity theft. He was held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, where he faced harsh conditions, including prolonged periods of solitary confinement. In April, Santos received an 87-month prison sentence along with an order to pay $373,949.97 in fines and restitution to his victims.
In his post, Trump emphasized the adversity Santos faced while incarcerated, stating, "George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated." He concluded his message with well wishes for Santos, saying, "Good luck George, have a great life!" CBS News later confirmed that Santos would no longer be required to pay restitution to his victims.
Santos' attorney, Joseph Murray, expressed gratitude towards President Trump for recognizing the difficult circumstances Santos endured. Murray stated, "I am forever grateful to President Trump for seeing the human side of the suffering that Congressman Santos went through." He noted that Santos had been placed in protective custody due to threats against his life. Murray also thanked several congressional representatives for their support, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Lauren Boebert.
After his release on Friday night, Santos made his first public statement on social media platform X, declaring that he has been given a "true second chance at life." He expressed his desire to grow and change, emphasizing the importance of mercy and redemption. "I spoke with Mr. Trump on Saturday, calling it a conversation I will never forget," Santos wrote, highlighting the president's compassion and humanity.
In his statement, Santos also conveyed a message of unity and forgiveness, stating, "I hold no anger toward anyone, not even my critics. Life is too short to waste on bitterness or vengeance." He indicated that he plans to advocate for prison reform and accountability as he moves forward, with a goal of transforming his past into something meaningful.
George Santos was elected to represent New York's 3rd congressional district in 2022. However, he faced severe backlash and was expelled from Congress the following year after a House Ethics Committee report revealed substantial evidence of legal violations. Fellow Long Island Republican Congressman Nick LaLota criticized Santos, stating he deserved a longer prison sentence, arguing, "George Santos didn't merely lie — he stole millions, defrauded an election, and his crimes warrant more than a three-month sentence."
After his election, Santos was accused of fabricating details about his background and misrepresenting himself to voters and donors in his district, which includes parts of Nassau County and Queens. Allegations against him included falsely claiming wealth, forging a diploma, and soliciting donations for a nonexistent nonprofit while also committing credit card fraud against vulnerable individuals.
Following his sentencing, Santos released a lengthy statement on social media, arguing that his sentence was politically motivated and asking for a second chance to prove himself beyond his past mistakes. It is important to note that while Trump's commutation has released Santos from prison, it does not erase his criminal record, as a commutation is not the same as a pardon.
