Trump Commutes Sentence of Former GOP Rep. George Santos
President Donald Trump on Friday announced the commutation of former New York Republican Rep. George Santos’ federal prison sentence, releasing him immediately from custody after serving just a few months of a more than seven-year term for wire fraud and identity theft.
Santos, 36, pleaded guilty last summer and was sentenced in April before reporting in July to a federal correctional center in New Jersey, according to The Washington Times.
“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 on Truth Social. “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. Good luck, George, have a great life!”
The presidential order frees Santos effective immediately, converting the remainder of his sentence to time served.
Following his sentencing, Santos appealed directly to President Trump, calling his punishment “an over-the-top politically influenced sentence” and alleging he was targeted for political reasons. He also expressed fears about mistreatment while incarcerated.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) praised Trump’s decision, describing Santos’ confinement as “torture.” “He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!” Greene wrote on X.
True to his flamboyant persona, Santos marked his departure from public life with a characteristically theatrical farewell message before reporting to prison. “Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” he wrote. “From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news, what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried… most days.” He signed off, “Forever fabulously yours, George.”
Santos’ legal troubles began when the Campaign Legal Center filed an FEC complaint in January 2023, accusing him of defrauding donors. He was later expelled from Congress and indicted on multiple counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.
After his conviction, Saurav Ghosh, director of federal campaign finance reform at the Campaign Legal Center, hailed the case as “a major victory” for voters who had been “deceived or defrauded.” “Santos’ brazen fraud and misconduct, which included serious violations of federal campaign finance laws, was an affront to his constituents, his donors, and the integrity of our democracy,” Ghosh said.
Trump’s decision to commute Santos’ sentence adds to growing attention on his broader use of presidential clemency. On his Inauguration Day, Trump also granted clemency to roughly 1,550 individuals connected to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, directing the Justice Department to dismiss remaining indictments. About 900 of those cases involved non-violent misdemeanors such as trespass and disorderly conduct, according to AEI.
At the time, Trump said his sweeping action was intended to restore “fairness” after years of “politicized prosecutions.”
In contrast, former President Joe Biden’s final day in office saw a wave of pardons and commutations issued to family members, administration officials, and political allies — including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Gen. Mark Milley. Historians now describe Biden’s last-minute actions as the largest single use of clemency in modern U.S. history.
According to Justice Department data, Biden granted pardons or commutations to more than 8,000 individuals, including convicted murderers, child abusers, and prominent Democratic donors. Critics accused Biden of using clemency as a political weapon after Congress rejected his proposed sentencing reforms.
Trump allies have been quick to draw comparisons, arguing that while Biden’s clemency served to protect his inner circle, Trump’s actions focused on “political victims” and excessive punishments.
“President Biden used the pardon power to cover for corruption,” a senior administration source said. “President Trump used it to correct injustice.”