President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the prison sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, ordering the immediate release of the New York Republican who had been serving a more than seven-year term for fraud and identity theft charges.
Santos, 37, had been incarcerated for just 84 days after reporting to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, on July 25.
“I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY,” President Trump posted on his social media platform. He added that Santos had been subjected to “solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated.”
A Plea Answered
The commutation is a direct response to appeals from the former Congressman and his allies. Santos pleaded guilty last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including family members, to make donations to his campaign.
Andrew Mancilla, one of Santos’ lawyers, expressed delight over the decision. “The defense team applauds President Trump for doing the right thing,” Mancilla said, arguing that the original sentence was “far too long.” Mancilla stated it was currently unclear when Santos would be formally released.
READ: Georgia Rep. MTG Urges Trump To Commute George Santos’s Sentence: ‘Abusive Overreach’
Just days ago, Santos published a letter in the local The South Shore Press on Long Island, directly appealing to the president.
“Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity — the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you,” Santos wrote in the Oct. 13 dispatch, citing his loyalty to Trump’s agenda. “I humbly ask that you consider the unusual pain and hardship of this environment and allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community.”
Allies Weighed In
The former congressman also had support from prominent figures on Capitol Hill. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) had advocated for the commutation shortly after Santos began his term, calling his punishment “a grave injustice” and a case of judicial overreach.
The former representative was sentenced after admitting to a wide-ranging scheme of deceit that led to his expulsion from the House of Representatives. His early release is the latest in a series of controversial pardons and commutations issued by President Trump.
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