Congressional ally of Trump advocates for Trump to reduce prison term of George Santos
News Article: Marjorie Taylor Greene Urges President Trump to Commute George Santos' Sentence
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, has requested President Donald Trump to commute the sentence of former Congressman George Santos, who is currently serving a seven-year prison term for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Greene believes that Santos' sentence is excessively harsh, stating that it "extends far beyond what is warranted." She argues that other current members of Congress have committed "far worse offenses" without facing criminal charges or severe punishment.
In her letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, Greene described the punishment as a "grave injustice" and an "abusive overreach by the judicial system." She acknowledges the gravity of Santos's crimes but insists the sentence is disproportionate compared to the alleged lesser consequences faced by other Congress members.
Greene emphasizes that Santos has taken responsibility, shown remorse, and was dedicated to serving his constituents during his brief time in Congress. She writes that commuting Santos' sentence would acknowledge the severity of his actions and provide a path forward for him to make amends for his crimes.
Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison in August of 2024, after he pleaded guilty to the federal charges. He began serving his prison sentence on July 25, 2023, less than two weeks of the seven-year term.
Prior to his prison sentence, Santos faced controversy due to accusations of lying about his heritage, education, and professional resume. He also admitted to deceiving donors and stealing people's identities to help fund his campaign.
Santos was expelled from Congress after a House Ethics Committee report found "overwhelming evidence" of lawbreaking. The day before his prison sentence began, Santos posted on the social media site X that "I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit."
[1] Greene, M. T. (2023). Letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. [private correspondence] [2] Santos, G. (2024). Plea agreement. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. [3] House Ethics Committee (2023). Report on the investigation of George Santos. Washington, D.C.: U.S. House of Representatives.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene's appeal to President Trump for George Santos' commutation is rooted in politics, as she deems his sentence excessively harsh and compares it to policy-and-legislation involving other members of Congress who have perpetrated "far worse offenses" without facing similar punishment.
- The general news of George Santos' case has taken a new turn with Marjorie Taylor Greene's appeal to President Trump, as she argues that Santos' punitive actions by the judicial system in form of the current sentence is a grave injustice and an abusive overreach.
