In a jaw-dropping twist that has ignited fierce debates across the nation, former U.S. Representative George Santos has been set free from prison after President Donald Trump intervened to shorten his sentence in a high-profile federal fraud case. This decision not only frees a convicted felon but also raises profound questions about justice, politics, and the power of presidential pardons. Stick around, because this story dives deep into the details, and trust me, it's one that reveals layers of intrigue most people overlook at first glance.
From the heart of Washington, the news broke that President Trump, on Friday, decided to commute the prison term of the ex-lawmaker from Long Island, who is a Republican. Santos, who had been booted out of office and handed a five-year prison stint for charges of fraud and identity theft just earlier this year, was suddenly released. For those new to this, a commutation is like a presidential do-over—it's not a full pardon that wipes the slate clean, but it reduces the punishment, often allowing someone to leave custody sooner. In this case, it meant Santos could walk out immediately, even though he was sentenced to serve nearly seven years.
One of Santos' legal representatives, Joseph Murray, shared with The Associated Press late that evening that the former politician stepped out of the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, around 11 p.m. His family was there waiting to welcome him back. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he described Santos as 'somewhat of a 'rogue' who had boldly lied about his qualifications and dipped into campaign funds for extravagant personal splurges. Yet, Trump praised him for his unwavering loyalty to the Republican cause, noting, 'at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!' The president went on to claim that Santos endured prolonged solitary confinement and was treated unfairly, which prompted him to sign the commutation order right away. 'Good luck George, have a great life!' Trump added. This endorsement highlights a key point: Trump's reasoning seems tied more to political allegiance than to the severity of the crimes, a perspective that's sure to fuel heated discussions.
Santos' main attorney, Joe Murray, couldn't contain his enthusiasm, sending a glowing text to Newsday late Friday. 'God bless President Donald Trump, the greatest President in U.S. History!' he wrote, complete with an American flag emoji. It's moments like these that underscore the deep loyalties at play in politics.
To understand the full picture, let's rewind. Santos, who turned 37 recently, admitted guilt in August 2024 to duping campaign contributors during his 2022 bid for New York's 3rd Congressional District. This district covers areas in Nassau and eastern Queens, and Santos, born in Queens to Brazilian immigrant parents, managed to claim victory in a stunning upset, positioning himself as a fresh challenger inspired by Trump's 2016 win. But here's where it gets controversial—a bombshell exposé in The New York Times shortly after his election uncovered massive fabrications: fake degrees from universities he never set foot in, inflated job claims with elite firms, and even a fabricated Jewish heritage. For beginners, this isn't just about white lies; these deceptions eroded trust and could have influenced voters who supported him based on his made-up resume.
The fallout was swift. A joint investigation by the House Ethics Committee, involving members from both political sides, led to Santos being ousted from Congress in December 2023 via a bipartisan vote. He became just the sixth lawmaker in U.S. history to face such expulsion. Federal prosecutors then charged him in 2023 with a raft of offenses, including wire fraud, money laundering, misusing public money, false statements to lawmakers, identity theft, and improper use of donor credit cards. Initially, he denied the allegations, but by August 2024, he changed course and pleaded guilty.
In April of this year, a judge imposed a sentence of 87 months behind bars, plus orders to return over $375,000 to victims and surrender more than $200,000 in assets. Santos began serving his time that July at the low-security FCI Fairton facility in New Jersey. From there, he shared his experiences through columns in The South Shore Press, a local outlet based in Center Moriches. Just last month, he revealed he was in protective custody, separated from other inmates, due to what he claimed was an ongoing probe into a potential assassination plot against him inside the prison. 'The only hope I have is that President Trump will see this and take me out of this horrid situation and let me go back to my family,' Santos penned in his September piece. And this is the part most people miss: his writings paint a picture of desperation and isolation, adding a human element to a story often dominated by scandal.
Andrew Mancilla, another of Santos' lawyers, chimed in via email, calling the commutation 'the right call' and commending Trump's action. But not everyone sees it that way. The announcement drew sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle on Long Island, where the district is located.
Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino from Bayport acknowledged Trump's authority to commute sentences for federal convictions but emphasized that Santos' victims—those he robbed and the constituents he misled—remain uncompensated. 'The less than three months that he spent in jail is not justice,' he stated to Newsday.
Fellow Republican Rep. Nick LaLota from Amityville posted on X that Santos' offenses deserved harsher punishment. 'He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged,' LaLota wrote.
Even Democrats weighed in. Robert Zimmerman, the Democratic National Committeeman from Great Neck who was defeated by Santos during the 2022 Republican surge on Long Island, blasted Trump for seemingly jailing political foes while liberating Santos over 'unconscionable crimes' and hidden fraud. 'For Donald Trump to erase the consequence of those crimes—simply because Santos votes Republican—should outrage each and every American who says they are for law and order,' Zimmerman declared.
Jody Kass Finkle, leader of Concerned Citizens for NY-3—a group that rallied voters from the district for protests outside Santos' office in Washington—expressed dismay to Newsday in a late-night phone chat. The group, comprising members from various political backgrounds, felt 'appalled' and 'betrayed' by Trump's choice, including by the Republican Party at large. This bipartisan outrage illustrates how Santos' case transcends party lines, uniting people in their call for accountability.
As we wrap up, it's worth pondering: Is this commutation a fair exercise of presidential power, or does it undermine the rule of law by prioritizing loyalty over justice? Could there be merit in Trump's view that Santos was mistreated, or does it downplay the harm caused to donors and voters? And here's a controversial thought—what if this sets a precedent for future pardons based on political alignment? We'd love to hear your take: Do you agree with Trump's decision, or do you side with the critics? Drop your opinions in the comments below—we're all ears!
Newsday’s Nicole Fuller and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.
