President Donald Trump announced on social media Friday that he has commuted the sentence of former Congressman George Santos, who had been serving a seven-year sentence after being found guilty of fraud charges that led to his removal from Congress.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Santos as “somewhat of a ‘rogue,’” and pointed out that many others in the country who have engaged in questionable activities do not face the same lengthy prison sentences. “George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life,” Trump stated.
This commutation follows Santos’ surrender on July 25 to serve 87 months in prison. Prior to his imprisonment, Santos had expressed frustration over his attempts to secure a pardon from Trump, saying he felt his requests were obstructed by gatekeepers that prevented them from reaching the president.
In August 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges from his 2022 midterm campaign. In court, he expressed regret for his actions, taking full responsibility.
Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023, not long before completing his term, marking him as only the sixth lawmaker in history to be expelled from the House. During his time in Congress, he faced scrutiny for fabricating significant aspects of his biography, including false claims about his employment and education, which he ultimately admitted to.
Before his commutation, Santos was serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey.
This developing story will continue to evolve as more information becomes available.