George Santos was booted from congress in a move that Republicans wanted but also didn’t want.
Highlights
It was a funny watching George Santos quiver and continue to lie his way out of his expulsion. He claimed that if this was done to him prior to a conviction in court for his criminality, then it could be done to others, forgetting of course that this was due in part to the ethics investigation of his criminal activities.
George Santos, a Republican representative from New York, was expelled from Congress on December 1, 2023, after a House vote of 403 to 32. Santos became the third member in the history of the House, and the first since 2002, to be removed from office by his colleagues. Santos faced multiple federal charges of fraud, tax evasion, and campaign finance violations, as well as a damning report from the House Ethics Committee that accused him of using campaign funds for personal expenses, such as Botox, designer clothes, and a subscription to the adult content site OnlyFans123.
Santos’ expulsion was the culmination of a long and controversial saga that began in 2022, when he ran for Congress in New York’s 3rd district, a suburban swing seat that covers parts of Long Island and Queens. Santos, a former Wall Street trader and entrepreneur, claimed to have a degree from Harvard Business School, a Purple Heart medal, and a successful business career. However, these claims were later exposed as lies by various media outlets and his political opponents. Santos also faced allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife, who accused him of choking her and threatening her with a knife45.
Despite these revelations, Santos managed to win the Republican primary and the general election, defeating the incumbent Democrat Tom Suozzi by a narrow margin of less than 500 votes. Santos attributed his victory to his support for former President Donald Trump and his populist agenda. He also dismissed the charges against him as a political witch hunt and vowed to fight them in court. He refused to resign or cooperate with the House Ethics Committee, which launched an investigation into his conduct in May 20236 .
Santos’ defiance and arrogance angered many of his colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, who saw him as a stain on the integrity and reputation of the House. Several lawmakers, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, introduced resolutions to expel Santos from Congress, arguing that he had violated his oath of office and betrayed the public trust. However, these resolutions faced resistance from some Republicans, who argued that Santos should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that expelling him before his trial would set a dangerous precedent. The House voted to refer the resolutions to the Ethics Committee, which conducted a thorough and bipartisan investigation into Santos’ case .
The Ethics Committee released its report on November 16, 2023, and it was devastating for Santos. The report found “substantial evidence” that Santos had violated federal criminal laws, House rules, and standards of conduct in his 2022 campaign. The report also uncovered additional “uncharged and unlawful conduct” by Santos that went beyond the criminal allegations, and referred them to the Justice Department for further investigation. The report concluded that Santos had “sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit” and that he had “demonstrated a complete disregard for the law and the institution of the House” .
The report was a turning point for many Republicans, who had previously defended or tolerated Santos. After reading the report, several GOP lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Mike Johnson and House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest, called for Santos’ resignation or expulsion. Guest also introduced a resolution to expel Santos from Congress, which was co-sponsored by Garcia and other members of the Ethics Committee. The resolution received overwhelming support from both parties, and was brought to the floor for a vote on December 1, 2023. Santos, who had remained defiant and unapologetic, was expelled from Congress by a vote of 403 to 32, with only 31 Republicans and one Democrat voting against the resolution .
Santos’ expulsion from Congress was a rare and historic event, but it was also a necessary and justified one. Santos had violated the law, the rules, and the ethics of his office, and had shown no remorse or accountability for his actions. He had also damaged the credibility and dignity of the House and had betrayed the trust and confidence of his constituents. By expelling Santos from Congress, the House sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated, and that the House would uphold its standards of conduct and its responsibility to the American people.
