In a major development, Republican Rep. George Santos has announced he will not seek re-election following a damning report from the House Ethics Committee. The committee's investigation into Santos concluded with "substantial evidence" that the New York congressman misused campaign funds for personal expenses and filed false financial disclosure statements.
The Ethics Committee's report, which revealed additional unlawful conduct by Santos beyond the criminal charges he already faces, was unanimously adopted and will be referred to the Justice Department for further investigation. The committee's findings have intensified calls for Santos' expulsion from Congress, a movement that has gained bipartisan support but has yet to achieve the two-thirds majority required for expulsion.
Santos, who has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft, remains defiant. In a statement on social media, he denounced the investigation as a "biased report" and a "grave miscarriage of Justice." Santos stated, "I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time."
The Ethics Committee's report described Santos' conduct as "public condemnation" and "beneath the dignity of the office," bringing "severe discredit upon the House." Notably, Santos declined a voluntary interview and did not submit a written response to the allegations, with the committee deciding against issuing a subpoena due to his likely invocation of the Fifth Amendment.
Looking forward, House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest plans to file a resolution to expel Santos, signaling a strong message to the Republican conference. This move, along with the support of other committee members and lawmakers, indicates a renewed effort to remove Santos from Congress.
The Ethics Committee's investigation involved reviewing over 170,000 pages of documents and authorizing 37 subpoenas, illustrating the extensive nature of the probe. Santos' fellow New York Republicans have reiterated calls for his resignation or expulsion, with Rep. Mike Lawler stating, "George Santos should end this farce and resign immediately."
Santos' case is a rare instance of a congressional representative facing potential expulsion. His departure from Congress would mark the culmination of a controversial tenure marked by a series of fabrications and legal troubles. As the legal and political pressures mount, Santos' decision to not seek re-election reflects the growing consensus on his untenable position in the House of Representatives.
