NEW YORK (AP) — Freed from the prison where he served time for defrauding his campaign donors, former U.S. Rep. George Santos expresses a mix of humility and defiance regarding his experience behind bars and the controversy surrounding his recent release. In an interview with CNN, Santos dismissed critiques of President Donald Trump’s clemency decision, stating, I’m pretty confident if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics.
Santos began serving his seven-year sentence for fraud and identity theft last July and was released after only 84 days following Trump's intervention, which he believes reflects his loyalty to the Republican Party. Although Trump branded Santos a "rogue," he felt his actions deserved a lighter punishment.
During the interview, Santos claimed to have gained valuable lessons from his time in prison, saying he had consumed a very large slice of humble pie, if not the whole pie. He apologized to his former constituents, acknowledging the chaotic circumstances that led to his fraudulent activities, which included deceiving donors and stealing the identities of multiple people.
When confronted about disgruntled reactions among fellow Republicans, Santos pointed to other controversial pardons, such as President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, for tax offenses, stating that that situation warranted more scrutiny than his own case. He noted, So pardon me if I’m not paying too much attention to the pearl-clutching of the outrage of my critics.
Santos was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $373,750 and forfeiture of $205,003 as part of his plea deal. However, he suggested that his clemency may exempt him from fulfilling these financial obligations, expressing a somewhat conditional willingness to repay, stating, If it’s required of me by the law, yes. If it’s not, then no. After his release, Santos made headlines for his return to Cameo, where he creates personalized video messages, building on his prior notoriety.
Originally elected as the first openly gay Republican to Congress, Santos' fabrications about his qualifications have stirred considerable controversy, emphasizing his financial struggles and misrepresentation of professional history. Despite the challenges, Santos appears eager to navigate his second chance while staying connected to the political landscape.
