In a dramatic clemency move, President Donald Trump on Friday announced via Truth Social that he has commuted the 87-month (7-plus year) federal prison sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos, ordering his immediate release.
Santos, expelled from Congress in December 2023 following revelations of significant misrepresentations about his background, pleaded guilty in 2024 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors had cited evidence of donor deception, misuse of campaign funds, and identity theft of numerous individuals, including family members.
In his announcement, Trump framed Santos as a “rogue” but asserted that the sentence was excessive and that Santos had been “horribly mistreated” while incarcerated—suggesting the decision was partly a response to conditions and perceptions of unfair treatment. Trump’s actions continue his pattern of providing clemency for politically prominent figures with Republican ties.
Despite the commutation, Santos’s conviction remains on record, and he must still address financial penalties, restitution, or other legal consequences associated with his guilty plea. The clemency decision is already sparking debate about political favoritism, the scope of executive authority, and accountability for public officials convicted of financial crimes.
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