Former Rep. George Santos said Sunday that he first learned about President Trump’s commutation of his prison sentence from fellow inmates who saw the news on television.
Fresh out of prison, Mr. Santos expressed remorse for his actions, saying he ate a “large slice of humble pie” and hopes to dedicate himself to prison reform. He also brushed aside the outrage over Mr. Trump’s decision.
“People are going to like me. People are going to hate me. It doesn’t matter whoever gets clemency in the future, or whoever that person might be,” Mr. Santos said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I’m pretty confident if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ off of the cross, he would have had critics. So that’s just the reality of our country.”
Mr. Santos pointed to President Joseph R. Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, following felony convictions for gun and tax offenses. Mr. Biden had previously promised not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Mr. Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that he was commuting Mr. Santos’ sentence. The 37-year-old Mr. Santos was serving a more than seven-year sentence after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft.
Mr. Santos said he was “surprised” to learn the news.
“Other inmates saw it [on television] and called me over to see it,” he said. “I was not in the room at the time, and then I made my way to see it.”
The decision drew swift backlash from lawmakers, including Rep. Nick LaLota, New York Republican.
“George Santors didn’t merely lie — he stole millions, defrauded an elected, and his crimes (for which he pled guilty) warrant more than a three-month sentence,” Mr. LaLota posted on X. “He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged.”
Mr. Santos, who was expelled from Congress in 2023, reiterated that his sentence was “disproportionate” and said that his former campaign staffer’s prison sentence also should be commuted.
Mr. Santos said he hopes to make the most of his second chance and convince his critics that he has turned his life around.
“This isn’t about, you know, glitter stars and glam or going back to Congress,” he said
