Trump Commutes Former Rep. George Santos' Prison Sentence

LONG ISLAND, NY — President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former Congressman George Santos.

On Truth Social,Trump wrote Friday: "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. I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard "Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, “Da Nang” stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face. He was “a Great Hero,” he would leak to any and all who would listen — And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD."

Trump added: "He never went to Vietnam, he never saw Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere else. His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! 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!"

In July, Santos started his prison sentence, the Bureau of Federal Prisons confirmed to Patch.

Santos was given an 87-month sentence by Judge Joanna Seybert in April for his federal fraud and corruption case.

Santos surrendered to authorities to begin the sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Fairton in New Jersey, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Federal Prisons said at the time.

Earlier in July, Santos tweeted that he was ready to head to jail. However, he warned the public if anything happens, "so there's no confusion. I did not kill myself."

The seven-year, three-month term was also what the Department of Justice recommended, calling it "reasonable and appropriate" in this case.

In August 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

He spent less than one year as a Congressman representing the New York's 3rd District, before getting voted out of office. Santos was only the sixth member of Congress to face expulsion.

At the sentencing, U.S. Attorney John Durham said Santos is being "held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft."

Santos was seeking only two years in prison, the minimum sentence for the identity theft charge.

The one-time lawmaker is "where he belongs, behind bars answering for these crimes," Nassau County D.A. Anne Donnelly said after the April sentencing.

As part of the plea agreement, Santos was ordered to pay restitution of more than $373,000 and forfeiture of $205,000, the Department of Justice said.

"Santos' blatant corruption is an affront to our electoral process, our representative government and to the people of New York's 3rd Congressional District," said Durham in April. "But today, and finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft."