Trump grants clemency to former US lawmaker serving fraud sentence

President Donald Trump announced on the evening of October 17 that he had commuted the prison sentence of former Republican congressman George Santos, allowing the disgraced ex-lawmaker to leave prison immediately, according to NBC News.

Santos, 37, had been serving an 87-month sentence in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He began serving his sentence in late July, following a brief tenure in the House of Representatives that lasted less than a year before he was expelled in December 2023 amid a scandal.

Santos’ political career was marred from the start. Even before being sworn in, he admitted to lying about key details of his life on the campaign trail. While in Congress, he faced a series of federal charges, including fraud, theft, money laundering, and making false statements.

In a Truth Social post, Trump defended his decision, writing: “Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison.” The former president added that Santos had endured long stretches of solitary confinement and, by all accounts, had been “horribly mistreated.”

The commutation followed appeals from multiple friends and allies of Santos, a senior White House official told NBC News. Trump reportedly read writings from Santos while he was in prison, describing his living conditions, which influenced his decision.

Earlier this week, Santos wrote a letter to Trump published in the Long Island outlet The South Shore Press, appealing directly for clemency. “You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal,” Santos wrote. “I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me.”

Trump drew a parallel between Santos and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., recalling the 2010 controversy in which Blumenthal faced criticism for claiming he had “served in Vietnam,” despite never being deployed there. Trump argued in his post that Blumenthal’s record “is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”

“Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!” Trump concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova