President Trump Frees George Santos with Commuted Sentence | TNNEWS

George Santos Released After Trump Commutes Sentence

On Friday, former President Donald Trump announced the commutation of George Santos’ prison sentence. Santos, a former New York Republican representative, had been sentenced to over seven years for various federal offenses after being expelled from Congress for allegedly misappropriating campaign funds.

Trump shared the news on Truth Social, stating that he had signed the commutation to ensure Santos’ immediate release.

“While George Santos may have been a ‘rogue,’ many others in our nation have committed similar acts without facing such severe penalties,” Trump remarked.

Santos’ Legal Troubles and Political Downfall

In 2024, Santos admitted guilt to charges of wire fraud and identity theft. Prosecutors accused him of orchestrating a series of deceptions to enrich himself and mislead donors. He began serving his sentence in July at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey.

After his 2020 election, reports emerged that Santos had fabricated significant parts of his personal history, including his education and work experience. Despite these revelations, he was sworn into Congress in 2022.

However, his fabrications soon led to his downfall. In 2023, the House voted 311-114 to expel him, with bipartisan support. This made him the sixth representative ever expelled, and notably, the first without a criminal conviction at the time.

Comparisons and Presidential Pardons

Trump compared Santos’ actions to those of Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who had previously misstated his military service record. Blumenthal had served in the Marine Reserve but never overseas.

“What Santos did pales in comparison, yet he consistently supported the Republican cause,” Trump commented.

During his second term, Trump has been active in granting pardons and commutations. He notably pardoned over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol events. Additionally, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich received a pardon for corruption charges, including attempting to sell a Senate seat.