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Former US Representative George Santos, who was serving a seven-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft, has been granted an immediate release by President Donald Trump, sparking debate on executive clemency powers.
US President Donald Trump on Friday, October 17, 2025, commuted the sentence of former Republican Congressman George Santos, ordering his immediate release from prison. Santos had been serving a seven-year sentence at a minimum-security facility in New Jersey for federal charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
In a social media post, President Trump stated that Santos "has been horribly mistreated" and wished him "Good luck George, have a great life!" Joseph Murray, one of Santos's lawyers, confirmed his release on Friday evening, East Africa Time (EAT), and expressed gratitude to President Trump.
George Santos's political career was marked by controversy from its inception. He was elected to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District in November 2022, becoming the first openly LGBTQ Republican elected to Congress as a freshman. However, within weeks of his election, numerous reports emerged exposing fabrications in his background and resume, including false claims about his education and employment history.
Santos was indicted in May 2023, and a superseding indictment with additional charges followed in October 2023. The House Ethics Committee conducted an investigation, concluding in a damning report that there was "substantial evidence" Santos violated federal law and "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit." This led to his expulsion from Congress on Friday, December 1, 2023, making him only the sixth member in US history to be removed and the first in over 20 years.
The President of the United States holds the constitutional power to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment. A commutation of sentence reduces the penalty imposed, typically shortening prison time, but it does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or restore civil rights such as voting or holding office.
The process for clemency usually involves submitting a petition to the Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) within the Department of Justice, which reviews applications and makes recommendations to the President. However, the President can also grant clemency without a formal petition.
Prosecutors had argued for a significant prison sentence for Santos, requesting 87 months, citing his lack of genuine remorse and attempts to shift blame. During his sentencing in April 2025, a judge told Santos, "You got elected with your words, most of which were lies." Santos reportedly expressed remorse in court, stating, "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead."
Following Trump's announcement, some political figures reacted critically. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) called Santos a "serial fraudster," while former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) described the commutation as "a feature of corruption." Conversely, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) thanked Trump, asserting Santos was "unfairly treated."
This commutation highlights the broad discretionary power of the US President in federal criminal cases. While a commutation reduces the punishment, it does not erase the conviction, meaning Santos's criminal record remains. Critics argue that such actions could undermine public trust in the justice system and set a precedent for political interference in legal outcomes. Conversely, supporters may view it as an act of mercy or a correction of what they perceive as an overly harsh sentence.
The long-term implications of this commutation on public perception of executive clemency and political accountability in the US will be closely watched. Observers will also monitor any future public statements or actions by George Santos following his release, and how this event might influence future political discourse, particularly concerning the powers of the presidency.
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