On October 17, 2025, President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos, releasing him from federal prison after serving less than three months of an 87-month sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Santos had pleaded guilty in August 2024 to deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign. Trump justified the commutation by stating that Santos had been “horribly mistreated” in prison and argued that his actions were no worse than those of other politicians who had faced less severe consequences.

The commutation also cleared Santos of all associated fines and restitution, totaling over $570,000, which he had agreed to pay as part of his plea deal. In a social media post, Trump referred to Santos as “somewhat of a ‘rogue'” but emphasized his loyalty to the Republican Party, stating that Santos “always voted Republican”.

The decision drew mixed reactions. Supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, defended the commutation as an exercise of presidential clemency and a belief in redemption. However, some Republicans, such as Rep. Nick LaLota, criticized the move, arguing that Santos’s crimes warranted more than a three-month sentence and that victims had not been made whole.

Santos, who was expelled from Congress in 2023 following revelations of fabricating his background, expressed gratitude for the commutation and announced plans to focus on prison reform. He described his time in prison as “humbling” and detailed harsh conditions, including extended solitary confinement and lack of access to basic hygiene. While he has not ruled out returning to public life, he stated that he currently has no intentions to re-enter politics