KernelKrusher
Well-known member
In a surprise move, former US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had commuted the sentence of George Santos, the embattled former Republican congressman who was sentenced to over seven years in prison for committing federal fraud. According to reports, Santos will be released from prison immediately and is "on his way home," according to his attorney Joseph Murray.
Trump's decision to commute Santos' sentence came after a push from key Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had called the congressman's conviction a "grave injustice" and urged Trump to intervene. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump expressed sympathy for Santos, calling him "somewhat of a rogue," but stopped short of explicitly stating why he decided to grant clemency.
Critics have questioned the timing of Trump's decision, particularly given that Santos was already serving an 87-month sentence. The move has also raised eyebrows among some who are skeptical about Trump's motives, particularly in light of his own history with pardons and controversies surrounding presidential clemency.
In a separate tweet, Trump compared Santos to Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, criticizing the senator for allegedly fabricating claims about his military record. However, Trump's account of Blumenthal's past misstatements has become increasingly exaggerated over time.
The commutation is the latest in a string of high-profile interventions by Trump, who has resumed the use of presidential clemency to reward political allies since returning to the White House in January. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump's efforts to exert control over the justice system and influence the outcome of high-profile cases.
Santos' commutation also comes amid controversy surrounding his own past misdeeds, including numerous fabrications about his biography that ultimately led to his expulsion from Congress in 2023. Despite the controversy, Santos shared Trump's love of the national spotlight, even when it came to his own scandals.
Trump's decision to commute Santos' sentence came after a push from key Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had called the congressman's conviction a "grave injustice" and urged Trump to intervene. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump expressed sympathy for Santos, calling him "somewhat of a rogue," but stopped short of explicitly stating why he decided to grant clemency.
Critics have questioned the timing of Trump's decision, particularly given that Santos was already serving an 87-month sentence. The move has also raised eyebrows among some who are skeptical about Trump's motives, particularly in light of his own history with pardons and controversies surrounding presidential clemency.
In a separate tweet, Trump compared Santos to Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, criticizing the senator for allegedly fabricating claims about his military record. However, Trump's account of Blumenthal's past misstatements has become increasingly exaggerated over time.
The commutation is the latest in a string of high-profile interventions by Trump, who has resumed the use of presidential clemency to reward political allies since returning to the White House in January. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump's efforts to exert control over the justice system and influence the outcome of high-profile cases.
Santos' commutation also comes amid controversy surrounding his own past misdeeds, including numerous fabrications about his biography that ultimately led to his expulsion from Congress in 2023. Despite the controversy, Santos shared Trump's love of the national spotlight, even when it came to his own scandals.
So, I'm thinking... if Trump is gonna commute George Santos' sentence, does that mean he thinks Santos was unfairly targeted by the law? 
Like, yeah we get it, Santos made some mistakes, but come on, 7 years in prison? That's a big deal! 
I mean, Santos is already serving almost 7 years, so what's Trump trying to accomplish here? Is it just to make Santos look like he's "free" or something? 
That would be super shady. And what about all the other folks who might've been targeted by the law but got off scot-free because they're BFFs with Trump? 
It just doesn't sit right.
he just commuted santos sentence outta nowhere... like doesnt he know this guy was already serving 7 years for fraud? 
and now he's FREE 
I mean I get that Trump wants to help out his buddies 
but c'mon, 87 months is still a loooong time 
and what really gets me is the timing 
meanwhile, Trump's just throwing shade at Blumenthal 
love how he exaggerates stuff 
. And Santos' whole thing was basically just a masterclass in how not to lie about yourself... like, what was Trump thinking? 
It's like he's trying to make a point about who gets clemency and who doesn't. But at the end of the day, it just feels like more gamesmanship from someone who's already proven himself to be pretty masterful at that game. 
like what's next? he's gonna pardon himself too lol and whats up with santos anyway? isnt he that guy who lied about everything in congress 
and why would trump do this now when santos was already serving 87 months? didnt he just get sentenced to hard time for his crimes? and whats with all these pardons and clemencies he's giving out? isnt that kinda like, unfair to everyone else who did the right thing? 
idk, can someone pls explain this whole thing to me?
What's next? Commuting sentences for everyone who supports him? 
This whole thing just reeks of politics and special treatment. Anyway, I'm keeping an eye on this, will see how it all plays out