U.S. President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of former Republican congressman George Santos, who had been serving more than seven years for fraud and identity theft.
Announcing the decision on his social media platform, Mr. Trump described Santos as “somewhat of a rogue” but argued that others “far worse” have not faced similar punishment. He declared that he had “just signed a commutation” ordering Santos’ immediate release, adding, “Good luck George, have a great life!”
Santos, who briefly represented New York after his 2022 election to Congress, was sentenced in April to 87 months in prison. Federal prosecutors said he defrauded campaign donors, party members, and even relatives, exploiting his political platform for personal gain.
His downfall was swift and dramatic. Within months of taking office, revelations emerged that he had fabricated major elements of his biography—including his education, career achievements, athletic record, and religious identity. Santos falsely claimed to have graduated from Baruch College, played volleyball there, and identified as Jewish, later clarifying that he was “Jew-ish” because of distant ancestry.
Trump’s commutation followed a public lobbying effort by Santos’ supporters, including Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued that his sentence was excessive and that he was being kept in solitary confinement.
A White House official confirmed that the president had received numerous appeals for clemency. Santos himself wrote a personal letter from prison, appealing directly to Mr. Trump’s “sense of justice and humanity” and pleading for a chance to reunite with his family.
Ironically, before his imprisonment, Santos had publicly requested to serve his sentence in solitary confinement, a stance that contrasts with later reports of his alleged mistreatment. Mr. Trump echoed those concerns, claiming that Santos had been “horribly treated” while incarcerated.
Santos’ release reignites debate about the use of presidential clemency and whether it has become a tool for rewarding political allies. Critics argue that the decision undermines accountability for public corruption, while supporters claim it corrects an overly punitive justice system.
As one of the first openly gay Republicans elected to Congress, Santos’ story remains a remarkable study in political rise and self-destruction — and now, in presidential intervention.
