Trump lets George Santos walk free, redefining “law and order” again
President Donald Trump commuted the federal prison sentence of ex-Congressman George Santos the disgraced New York Republican who pleaded guilty earlier this year to wire fraud identity theft and campaign finance violations Santos who had been serving an -month just over seven-year sentence was disclosed instantly under the terms of Trump s order issued Friday The move comes less than three months after Santos began serving his sentence prompting swift criticism from both Democrats and particular Republicans who say the decision undermines accountability for inhabitants authorities In a post on Truth Social Trump described Santos as something of a rogue but claimed his punishment had been far greater than most of who have done far worse The administration has not indicated whether Santos s restitution or supervised release conditions were waived though the commutation ends his prison term Santos s legal troubles stemmed from a string of falsehoods and financial misdeeds that unraveled soon after his poll to Congress He admitted to inflating campaign donations stealing donor identities and lying about his instruction and work history The House expelled him in December following an ethics examination that detailed a complex web of deception Critics even House Republicans argue the president s decision signals a pattern of rewarding loyalty and dismissing corruption while supporters contend it reflects Trump s commitment to what he calls sentencing fairness Santos responded via social media through his attorney Joseph Murray praising Trump as the greatest President in U S history and thanking several Republican lawmakers including Marjorie Taylor Greene Lauren Boebert Anna Paulina Luna and former Congressman Matt Gaetz as well as members of the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons The comment lauded the administration s efficiency and criticized Democrats for not joining Gang USA Read more about George Santos George Santos likely to plead guilty at Monday s fraud hearing Judge denies motion to dismiss fraud charges against George Santos George Santos revives previously denied drag persona for cash-grabbing Cameo videos The post Trump lets George Santos walk free redefining law and order again appeared first on Salon com
