Former Republican congressman George Santos, who had been serving a seven-year prison term for fraud and identity theft, was released Friday night after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social account, where he defended the move as an act of “fairness” against “horrible mistreatment.”
Santos, 37, was picked up by his family just hours after the commutation order was signed, according to his attorney, Joseph Murray. The former New York representative had been incarcerated since July 25, serving an 87-month sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft tied to his 2022 campaign.
“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Santos’ Plea for Fairness Reached the White House
Before his release, Santos had been publicly appealing for clemency. In a letter published earlier this week by The South Shore Press, he admitted his mistakes and asked Trump for “fairness” rather than sympathy.
“No man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires,” he wrote.
The letter reportedly gained traction among Trump allies, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Anna Paulina Luna, who lobbied for his release. Greene, who had written to Trump in August requesting the commutation, celebrated the decision, calling Santos’ solitary confinement “torture.”
Mixed Political Reactions
While Republicans loyal to Trump praised the move, Democrats were quick to condemn it. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump for focusing on Santos instead of national policy issues.
“Donald Trump has time to free serial fraudster George Santos from prison. But he can’t be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans,” Jeffries said on X.
The law firm representing Santos applauded Trump’s decision, calling it a “correction of injustice.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, both acknowledged in the announcement, said they were “honored” to assist in the clemency process.
Background on Santos’ Conviction
In August 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud, admitting to misusing campaign donations and donors’ personal information for personal expenses. His case became one of the most notorious political scandals in recent history, leading to his expulsion from Congress and eventual imprisonment.
Despite his downfall, Santos maintained a loyal base among pro-Trump circles. His early release marks one of the most controversial clemency decisions of Trump’s current term — and underscores the former president’s willingness to intervene on behalf of his political allies.
