Trump commutes George Santos sentence, orders his release

Santos reported to prison in late July to serve an 87-month sentence. The sentence followed his unprecedented expulsion from the House before a criminal conviction.

By Misty Severi

Published: October 17, 2025 6:47pm

Updated: October 17, 2025 7:00pm

President Donald Trump on Friday evening commuted the sentence of former New York GOP Rep. George Santos and ordered his release to take effect immediately.

Santos reported to prison in late July to serve an 87-month sentence. The sentence followed his unprecedented expulsion from the House before a criminal conviction.

"George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue' but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump posted on Truth Social. "George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!"

Last summer, Santos pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people's identities to fund his 2022 congressional campaign.

Trump said that he decided to commute Santos' sentence after he was reminded of other lawmakers who allegedly lied about their background, including Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal who lied about serving in Vietnam.

"[Blumenthal] stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "He was 'a Great Hero,' he would leak to any and all who would listen — And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD.

"He never went to Vietnam, he never saw Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere else," Trump continued. "His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP. This is far worse than what Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to always vote Republican."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.