Disgraced former congressman George Santos released from prison in New Jersey

Former US Congressman George Santos Has Been Released From Prison After Presidential Commutation

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, Donald Trump, the current President of the United States, commuted the seven-year sentence of disgraced former congressman George Santos to time served. The decision was announced hours before Santos's release from Fairton federal prison in New Jersey.

According to sources close to the matter, Republican figures including House members Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Anna Paulina Luna, as well as former congressman Matt Gaetz, justice department officials, and deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche, played a significant role in convincing Trump to commute Santos's sentence.

Santos was sentenced for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after pleading guilty to his crimes in August 2024. However, his release has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Robert Zimmerman, the Democratic candidate who lost to Santos in 2022, described him as a "serial fraudster" and said that Trump's decision was an example of "lawlessness."

Meanwhile, Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, called Santos a "serial perpetrator of corruption." Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman, also expressed his outrage over the commutation.

Trump's decision to commute Santos's sentence has reignited debates about the limits of presidential power and comes at a time when millions of Americans are expected to attend protests against what many see as an authoritarian government unmoored from its constitutional norms. Critics argue that Trump's actions have blurred the lines between politics and justice, while supporters argue that Santos was unfairly treated.

Santos himself described his conditions in prison as "unlike anything most Americans could ever comprehend" and expressed gratitude to Trump for what he called a "fairness" that would allow him to rebuild his life.

Like, who's surprised by this whole thing? I mean, Santos was basically running around like a scamp while nobody was watching, and then gets caught red-handed... or should I say, red-pen? 7 years for what, a bunch of online resume lies? I'm no fan of Trump, but commuting someone's sentence just because some of his buddies wanted it done is pretty shady . On the bright side, Santos gets to rebuild his life and whatnot... meanwhile, the rest of us are still dealing with actual problems like student loans and housing costs

this is like the ultimate test of presidential power, you feel? like, trump just commuted this dude's sentence after like half a year in prison... it's wild how these republican reps were all like "yeah, let's help out our boy george" meanwhile, the rest of america is over here like "what even is fair about that?" and i'm not buying the whole "santos was unfairly treated" thing either... seems like he got what was coming to him, if you ask me

I'm still trying to process this news ... I mean, it's one thing to see someone serve time for their crimes, but to have the President just commute their sentence and get them out of prison after only 6 years is crazy . And what's even crazier is that all these Republican figures are basically saying "yaaas, thanks Donald" . I don't get it, don't they think Santos broke the law? It feels like politics and justice got all mixed up. What do you guys think about this?

Ugh, this is so messed up . I mean, I know Santos was a total scumbag, but come on... seven years in prison? It's just not right. And now Trump gets to decide who stays behind bars and who walks free as a bird? Give me a break . It's like the system is rigged against anyone who doesn't have the right connections or enough cash to grease the wheels. And don't even get me started on all the other people who played a role in getting Santos out early... it's just so crony and corrupt . I'm not surprised that millions are planning to protest this - it's about time someone spoke up against an abuse of power like this .

Ugh, I'm so done with this ! Trump's decision to commute Santos's sentence is like, totally a stretch . I mean, come on, a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and identity theft? That's some serious stuff . And now he gets to walk free after serving less than two years? Not cool, dude .

And can we talk about the fact that all these high-profile Republicans are just cheering him on? Like, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz are basically endorsing a convicted felon who's proven himself to be a serial fraudster . It's like they're saying "oh, it's okay, George, because you're one of us" .

I'm not buying it . This decision reeks of Trump trying to exert his power and control over the justice system. And for what? So Santos can rebuild his reputation and maybe even run for office again? It's just so... . Can't we trust our leaders to uphold the law and make fair decisions?

I don’t usually comment but... I feel like this whole situation is super weird . So, Santos gets released from prison after just doing time served? That's not really fair, right? I mean, I'm no expert on the law or politics, but it seems to me that if someone's gonna get a slap on the wrist for what amounts to serious crimes, it should be up to the courts to decide, not some president trying to play dictator . And what's with all these high-ranking politicians who were like "yeah, let's help George out"? It just seems like politics as usual... and honestly, it's kind of disturbing . Anyway, I don't know, maybe I'm just reading too much into this, but I think there should be some real consequences for someone who committed such serious crimes .

Ugh, I'm so done with this whole thing ! Santos thought he could just scam his way into politics and then get away with it? Seven years in prison isn't enough?! And Trump just lets him off scot-free? It's like the justice system is broken . And what really gets me is that all these politicians were involved in getting Santos released... Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz... they're all basically saying "it's okay" to this kind of behavior . Newsflash: it's not okay! We need to hold people like Santos accountable for their actions, not just let them slink away with a slap on the wrist . And what about Robert Zimmerman and Hakeem Jeffries? They're speaking truth to power, but they deserve more support from the public .

I'm kinda surprised that Santos got out . I mean, 7 years is a pretty long time for wire fraud and identity theft . But at the same time, it's not like he didn't get what was coming to him . Trump commuted his sentence, but in a weird way, I guess you could say Santos got a second chance .

It's also kinda wild that all these big names came out of the woodwork to try and convince Trump to do it . Like, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz? What's going on there ?

I don't think we should be too harsh on Santos, though . We've all made mistakes in our lives, right? And he's actually saying that his time in prison was "unlike anything most Americans could ever comprehend" . Maybe he really did change and learn from his mistakes .

Anyway, it's definitely sparking a lot of debate about presidential power and whatnot . But for now, I'm just gonna sit back and watch how this all plays out

Man... this is wild . I'm trying to think about it from Santos's perspective, but at the same time, I gotta wonder if there's a line between fairness and just plain old politics . It's like, he gets released and suddenly he can start over? That sounds like a whole lot of luck, not necessarily justice.

But you know what I'm trying to think about more is how this affects our perceptions of power and accountability . When Trump commutes Santos's sentence, it feels like he's saying that politics trumps the law (no pun intended ). And that's what makes me question whether we're living in a system where justice really matters.

We gotta ask ourselves if this kind of action is more about setting an example or just trying to save face . Because when you look at it from both sides, it feels like politics over principle. That's what I think is the real problem here – not Santos, but the fact that we're so lost on what true leadership even looks like

I'm low-key shocked that the guy got off scot-free He's literally just done nothing but lie and scam people all over the country, and now he gets a second chance? The whole thing is just so messed up. I mean, what's next? Is this gonna set a precedent for other politicians who've gotten away with stuff too? It's just not right, you know?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one... I mean, George Santos was literally caught red-handed committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and now Donald Trump gets to let him off the hook? It's just so unfair . Like, what even is the point of having a justice system if you're gonna commute people's sentences willy-nilly because of who your dad is or who your friends are? I'm all for second chances and rehabilitation, but this just feels like a huge slap in the face to everyone else who actually followed the law . And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that Trump's team basically bullied his way into getting Santos off easy? It's like something out of a bad movie . I'm still trying to understand what's going on here... is this really how politics is supposed to work now?

omg u can't even believe this is real lol!!! don't get me wrong, Santos did some serious stuff and deserved some time in the slammer, but 7 yrs is way too long and i feel like Trump just wanted an excuse to show off how powerful he thinks he is again . i mean, what's next? commutting for actual crimes or just cuz they're a Rep? it's all so messed up...

omg is this 4 real?? Donald trump just commuted george santos's sentence like, what are we even living in now? the fact that republican reps were all for it tho, it's wild how far the party has fallen marjorie taylor greene and lauren boebert basically saying "hey guys lets let this guy out" meanwhile hakeem jeffries is like "hold up nope not on my watch"

I don't get why the Prez had to make this decision ... I mean, Santos broke the law, big time! He thought he could just lie about who he was and what he'd done for years and then play dumb when caught? No thanks! The commutation is more of a slap on the wrist than justice. It's like Trump's trying to send a message that "only my guys get punished"... newsflash, Mr P: not everyone is on your team! And what really gets me is Santos himself claiming it's "fairness"? Unbelievable! He was given a slap on the wrist for 7 years and now he's walking out of prison like nothing happened? That doesn't reek of fairness to me... more like just another example of the system being rigged .

I'm literally shook by this news! Like, I know Santos has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons, but commuting his sentence? It's just wild . And can we talk about how some of these Reps are already jumping on board with Trump's decision? Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert are basically his biggest cheerleaders . I don't get it, can't they see that this is just more drama for the sake of drama? And Robert Zimmerman is HILARIOUS saying Santos is a "serial fraudster"... I mean, I guess he's right, but come on, let Santos live his life already . I'm just here for the tea and I need more updates on this drama !

omg did u know that i just tried the new matcha latte at starbucks and it's literally my fave now? anyway back to george santos... i mean i dont get why ppl are so mad about him commutin his sentence like 7 yrs is a lotta time lol but idk i guess its cuz hes already been out of office for ages now? what do u think tho?

I'm totally down with Trump's decision on George Santos ... I mean, not really. I think it was super unfair that Santos only got 7 years in the first place, considering how bad he messed up . On the other hand, I'm all about limiting presidential power and making sure our leaders don't just make stuff up as they go along ... but at the same time, Santos was a major cheat and shouldn't be out free anytime soon . I mean, if Trump wanted to help him out, maybe he should've made it part of his deal that he'd have to donate some cash to charity or something . And honestly, I don't think anyone knows what's going on behind the scenes in the justice department anymore... does Matt Gaetz know more about this than he's letting on?

Wow this is so crazy, I mean how can one person's crimes be pardoned like that? Interesting Santos was supposed to serve 7 years but now he gets to just walk out free, it's like the whole system failed him and now he gets a second chance.

I'm not surprised to see Donald Trump go easy on George Santos, but the way this whole thing went down is just sketchy . I mean, come on, seven years for wire fraud and identity theft? That's a pretty harsh sentence if you ask me. But what really gets my blood boiling is that it was basically a done deal from the start. The fact that Republican figures were in the room telling Trump to cut Santos' sentence loose is just shady .

And don't even get me started on how Santos is spinning this whole thing. "Unfairness" and "fairness"? Please, George, you're a convicted felon who lied his way into Congress. You got what was coming to you, and now you're getting off scot-free? It's just not right .

What really worries me is that this decision sets a bad precedent for future politicians. If Trump can just pardon or commute someone like Santos with ease, what's to stop him from doing it again in the future? That's when we start talking about an authoritarian government, and I'm not okay with that .