Trump Commutes Sentence of George Santos, Orders Immediate Release
President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former Republican Congressman George Santos, ordering his release from federal prison effective immediately.
In a statement posted Friday on Truth Social, Trump defended his decision by contrasting Santos’ conduct with that of prominent Democrats. “At least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!” the president wrote.
The move follows personal appeals from Santos and his supporters. According to NBC News, close allies of the disgraced lawmaker reached out to Trump privately, requesting clemency. Santos himself published an open letter to the president earlier this week in The South Shore Press, pleading for a case review and denouncing what he called mistreatment behind bars.
“George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated,” Trump said in his post. “Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!”
Santos, elected in 2022 to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District, quickly became a lightning rod in Washington. In December 2023, he was expelled from the House of Representatives in a bipartisan 311-114 vote — only the sixth expulsion in U.S. history. A scathing report from the GOP-led House Ethics Committee had accused him of misusing campaign funds for personal indulgences including Botox and content from the subscription platform OnlyFans.
The former congressman pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft earlier this year in connection to schemes tied to his 2022 campaign. He began serving an 87-month federal prison sentence in July.
Trump’s decision to commute the sentence drew swift reaction from both sides of the aisle. Supporters praised the president for showing mercy to a political ally, while critics said the move undermines the rule of law. But Trump appeared unfazed, choosing instead to highlight party loyalty.
“Democrats lie and get a pass,” one Trump campaign adviser posted minutes after the announcement. “George made mistakes but stood by the GOP. That matters.”
Santos has not yet commented publicly since the commutation, but is expected to make a statement this weekend.