Two Department of Justice sources told The Daily Wire that the agency is not investigating former Rep. George Santos over allegations that he profited by betting against his own attendance at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
Kalshi appears to be investigating Santos, but reports that federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation following the company&#8217;s referral are false, sources told The Daily Wire.
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/06/02/nx-s1-5843371/george-santos-kalshi-insider-trading-investigation">NPR first reported</a> that Kalshi referred Santos to federal authorities after the former congressman allegedly profited by wagering that he would not attend the February speech.
The controversy stems from a <a href="https://x.com/georgesantos/status/2026058999309701294?s=46">February 23 video</a> in which the former congressman told followers, “I’m going to be there for the State of the Union in the gallery, guys,” one day before Trump’s primetime address.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
State of the union update! <a href="https://t.co/y9nrYpCyU4">pic.twitter.com/y9nrYpCyU4</a>
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) <a href="https://x.com/Georgesantos/status/2026058999309701294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
Kalshi prediction traders were spending millions of dollars worth of bets on who would attend, according to NPR. Santos’ video increased the odds of his attendance, until he didn’t show up. 
&#8220;Watching SOTU from an airport tv was not part of the plan! FML,&#8221; Santos posted on the night of the speech. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Watching SOTU from an airport tv was not part of the plan! FML 😡🤬
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) <a href="https://x.com/Georgesantos/status/2026433381911638407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
NPR reported that Santos bet against his own attendance at the State of the Union, despite publicly indicating he planned to be there, drawing scrutiny from the prediction market.
Kalshi reportedly blocked his account and referred the case to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the DOJ, the outlet reported. 
On social media, Santos pleaded with reporters to stop reaching him for comment, calling the accusations “preposterous.” 
“To the 100’s of reporters calling me through the night. Stop! My legal team and I were made aware by a report from NPR yesterday that the DOJ might be looking into me. So now my legal team is in contact with the DOJ to see what is going on,” Santos said. 
“I will comment further when appropriate and clarify everything accordingly while being mindful and respectful of any process that might be underway,” he added. “The bases of the accusation is preposterous and I look forward to supplying any information asked of me to any agency that inquires, till then media please do not inquire.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
To the 100’s of reporters calling me through the night.
Stop!
My legal team and I were made aware by a report from NPR yesterday that the DOJ might be looking into me. So now my legal team is in contact with the DOJ to see what is going on.
I will comment further when…
— George Santos (@Georgesantos) <a href="https://x.com/Georgesantos/status/2062191136421159024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
The latest scandal surrounding Santos comes months after President Donald Trump last October handed Santos a second chance at life and commuted his 87-month federal prison sentence. 
A GOP-led House Ethics Committee report accused Santos of stealing campaign donors’ money to spend on Botox, OnlyFans, and other items, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-commutes-sentence-of-former-gop-rep-george-santos">The Daily Wire previously reported.</a>
The New York Republican pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges related to his 2022 campaign and became the 6th member in U.S. history to be expelled from the House. 
“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!” <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115391767709119144">Trump announced on Truth Social.</a>

George Santos

DOJ Denies Report It’s Investigating George Santos

News

Just over a week after President Trump brokered a deal that brought home the last of the hostages held by Hamas terrorists — and laid out a plan for lasting peace between Israel and Gaza — the latest reports indicate that Hamas militants have taken to publicly executing Palestinian civilians. So of course, CNN wanted to talk about — and to — former Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
For those who don&#8217;t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to dig through a week&#8217;s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-commutes-sentence-of-former-gop-rep-george-santos">Trump announced</a> on Friday that he was commuting the remainder of the 7-year sentence that Santos was serving after he pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire-fraud charges in relation to his 2022 congressional campaign. Prior to that he&#8217;d been ousted by Congress after serving less than a year of his first term: Lawmakers <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/01/gop-rep-george-santos-faces-expulsion-vote-in-house.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> 311-114 to oust Santos in December 2023 after a GOP-led House Ethics Committee report accused Santos of stealing campaign donors’ money to spend on Botox, OnlyFans, and other items.
Trump swiped at Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in the Truth Social post announcing the commutation, saying, &#8220;I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard “Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, “Da Nang” 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 &#8230; This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!&#8221;
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So on Sunday, despite the continued bloodshed in Gaza and the ongoing Democrat-driven government shutdown, much of the conversation on CNN was focused squarely on Santos.
Anchor Dana Bash started with Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), asking whether she took issue with Trump&#8217;s decision to commute the sentence of the disgraced congressman.
&#8220;[Santos] did plead guilty to defrauding his donors and constituents of hundreds of thousands of dollars, money he will no longer be required to pay back because of this commutation. Is this acceptable to you?&#8221; Bash asked.
&#8220;Look, I will let Congressman Santos speak for himself,&#8221; Britt replied. &#8220;What I appreciate is President Trump&#8217;s commitment to the American people.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BASH: “[Santos] did plead guilty to defrauding his donors and constituents of hundreds of thousands of dollars, money he will no longer be required to pay back because of this commutation. Is this acceptable to you?”
BRITT: “Look, I will let Congressman Santos speak for… <a href="https://t.co/3SvurPWDHk">pic.twitter.com/3SvurPWDHk</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979939429633380426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Bash then took the question to Santos directly, asking him whether he planned to make restitution.
&#8220;You were ordered by the court to pay $370,000 in restitution to the people you defrauded… Will you work to try to do that?&#8221; she asked.
&#8220;I can do my best to do whatever the law requires of me. So I don&#8217;t know what that is,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;If it&#8217;s required of me by the law, yes. If it&#8217;s not, then no.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BASH: “You were ordered by the court to pay $370,000 in restitution to the people you defrauded… Will you work to try to do that?”
SANTOS: “I can do my best to do whatever the law requires of me. So I don&#8217;t know what that is… If it&#8217;s required of me by the law, yes. If it&#8217;s… <a href="https://t.co/EVBHKzKGTg">pic.twitter.com/EVBHKzKGTg</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979942437411057676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bash then pivoted to note that some were critical of Trump&#8217;s decision to commute his sentence, and Santos pushed back, essentially arguing that there would be people criticizing Trump no matter what he did.
&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty confident if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics,&#8221; Santos said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
George Santos shrugs off criticism of Trump commuting his prison sentence: “I&#8217;m pretty confident if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics.” <a href="https://t.co/YxjwjV5F6u">pic.twitter.com/YxjwjV5F6u</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979943369892679734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;I&#8217;m very grateful to President Trump, Dana, and I sit here quite literally, I don&#8217;t know how much more humbled I can get before people believe I&#8217;m humble or remorseful, but I can just do the best in my actions moving forward,&#8221; Santos added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
George Santos responds to former Republican colleagues who say he shouldn’t have been freed from prison: “I&#8217;m very grateful to President Trump, Dana, and I sit here quite literally, I don&#8217;t know how much more humbled I can get before people believe I&#8217;m humble or remorseful, but I… <a href="https://t.co/1TyrdeeDXl">pic.twitter.com/1TyrdeeDXl</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979943593436479708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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He went on to say that he&#8217;d already thought of a way that he could potentially begin to give back, saying, &#8220;I told this to the president, that I&#8217;d love to be involved with prison reform, and not in a partisan way, in real human ways, in a way that we effect it, that it helps society, it helps these individuals rebuild their lives and we have a better system with less incarcerated people … If I can be a part of helping that, I think that would be a great road to follow in the future.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Santos: “I told this to the president, that I&#8217;d love to be involved with prison reform, and not in a partisan way, in real human ways, in a way that we effect it, that it helps society, it helps these individuals rebuild their lives and we have a better system with less… <a href="https://t.co/6qXkS9c3z3">pic.twitter.com/6qXkS9c3z3</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979943752346353792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And it didn&#8217;t end there: Santos was also the topic of a panel discussion to round out &#8220;State of the Union.&#8221;
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) said she wasn&#8217;t in favor of Trump&#8217;s decision, but that she planned to withhold judgment and give Santos a chance to prove he&#8217;d changed.
&#8220;I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and I hope he is a changed person who&#8217;s going to focus on his second chance on doing good. I do not agree with the commutation. I think it was a wrong decision, primarily because this is somebody who stole millions of dollars from his donors. He defrauded the public and his voters … I wish him well. I hope he does good, and I hope he sticks to his word that he&#8217;s a renewed person.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New York Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis on Trump commuting George Santos’ prison sentence:
“I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and I hope he is a changed person who&#8217;s going to focus on his second chance on doing good. I do not agree with the commutation. I… <a href="https://t.co/I77ZfKoMw7">pic.twitter.com/I77ZfKoMw7</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979948410368061661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And then Paul Begala tried to make it about Trump &#8230;
&#8220;This is a story about a con man, a liar, a grifter, somebody, a felon, disgraced his high office, and also about George Santos,&#8221; he quipped.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Paul Begala: “This is a story about a con man, a liar, a grifter, somebody, a felon, disgraced his high office, and also about George Santos.”
GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Brad Todd, and Faiz Shakir join Dana Bash to react to President Trump’s controversial decision to commute… <a href="https://t.co/W7SQ50hJpp">pic.twitter.com/W7SQ50hJpp</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/1979949001135763632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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U.S. Congressman-elect George Santos

Spin Cycle: Let’s Talk About … Santos?

Spin Cycle: Let's Talk About ... Santos?

ABC News

CBS News

Donald Trump

Media

NBC News

Politics

Prison

President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of former GOP Rep. George Santos on Friday, releasing the disgraced former lawmaker from prison “IMMEDIATELY.”
Trump announced his decision on Santos in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115391767709119144">post</a> on Truth Social, comparing Santos’ situation to that of Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The president observed that in Santos’ case, “at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
“As everyone remembers, ‘Da Nang’ 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, referring to Blumenthal, who has falsely <a href="https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2010/5/vfw-demands-an-apology-from-blumenthal">claimed</a> to be a Vietnam veteran.
“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. His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP,” Trump wrote.
The president noted that Blumenthal’s stolen valor “is far worse than what George Santos did.”
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Trump’s gesture of mercy toward Santos came after friends of the disgraced ex-congressman lobbied the president for leniency on Santos’ behalf, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/trump-george-santos-prison-commutation.html">NBC News</a>. Santos also wrote an open letter to Trump earlier this week asking for a review of his case. The letter was published on Monday in <a href="https://southshorepress.com/stories/675756835-santos-in-solitary-a-passionate-plea-to-president-trump">The South Shore Press</a>.
“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!” Trump wrote.
Santos was elected to his one and only term in Congress in 2022. He served in the role for less than a year before becoming the sixth member to be expelled from the body in the history of the United States. Lawmakers <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/01/gop-rep-george-santos-faces-expulsion-vote-in-house.html">voted</a> 311-114 to oust Santos in December 2023 after a GOP-led House Ethics Committee report accused Santos of stealing campaign donors’ money to spend on Botox, OnlyFans, and other items.
Santos began an 87-month federal prison sentence in July after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges related to his 2022 campaign.

Trump Commutes Sentence Of Former GOP Rep George Santos

Congress

Crime

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who was expelled from Congress last year after extensive fraud revelations, received a hefty 87-month prison term on Friday.
Santos, 36, pleaded guilty last year to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft while also admitting he “filed fraudulent FEC reports, embezzled funds from campaign donors, charged credit cards without authorization, stole identities, obtained unemployment benefits through fraud, and lied in reports to the House of Representatives,” per a Department of Justice press <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-congressman-george-santos-pleads-guilty-fraud-and-identity-theft#:~:text=In%20pleading%20guilty%2C%20Santos%2C%2036,to%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives">release</a>.
As U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert handed down the sentencing, Santos could be seen putting his hands over his head in apparent disbelief, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/former-congressman-george-santos-sentenced-to-seven-years-for-fraud-90d88f55">reported</a>.
Despite Santos saying in a Monday <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/852698897/Letter-From-George-Santos">letter</a> to the presiding judge that he &#8220;accepted full responsibility&#8221; for his crimes and was &#8220;profoundly sorry&#8221; for his actions, John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York under President Donald Trump&#8217;s DOJ, had pushed for an 87-month sentence, characterizing Santos as “unrepentant,” and “blamed his circumstances on misplaced trust in others,” per The Wall Street Journal.
Judge Seybert reportedly concurred with this sentiment, saying at the sentencing, &#8220;Where’s the remorse? Where do I see it?&#8221;
After his expulsion from Congress, Santos attempted to monetize his notoriety, likely in an attempt to pay the $375,000 in restitution, through personalized videos on Cameo and launching a podcast aptly titled &#8220;Pants on Fire&#8221; – a possible reference to his numerous falsehoods about his education, work history, and personal background, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/nyregion/george-santos-sentencing-prison.html">according</a> to The New York Times.
Santos was making &#8220;twice his congressional salary&#8221; through the personalized video platform, according to The Times, with the former congressman pushing a &#8220;last week on Cameo&#8221; promotion in a last-ditch effort to raise money before his sentencing.
Durham <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.497086/gov.uscourts.nyed.497086.118.0.pdf">argued</a> in a supplemental court memo that Santos&#8217; recent social media posts claiming he is a “<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1909311390160240990">scapegoat</a>” and a victim of DOJ overreach and selective prosecution &#8220;suggested he had little remorse for his actions.&#8221;
“His actions speak louder than any words, and they cry out for a significant carceral sentence in this case,” the U.S. attorney said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Hi my name is George Santos and the DOJ has had a hard on for me since December of 2022.
I refuse to let them break me or my spirit and that makes them big Mad… they have used elaborate language to drag me and hinder my ability to earn income…
Long story short, I will NOT…
&mdash; Pants On Fire with George Santos (@MrSantosNY) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrSantosNY/status/1908567430403596655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Santos&#8217; dramatic fall began shortly after his 2022 election victory when it was <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-york-congressman-elect-santos-admits-to-lying-about-employment-history-and-college-education?utm_source=chatgpt.com">revealed</a> that he had fabricated much of his background, such as graduating from Baruch College, working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and even playing collegiate volleyball.
“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume,&#8221; Santos admitted in 2023, adding, “I own up to that. … We do stupid things in life.”
Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives after fellow Republicans led the charge following a bipartisan House Ethics Committee report, which found that he had stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors. Some funds were <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/onlyfans-botox-george-santos-ethics-report-b2457313.html">reportedly</a> spent on luxury goods, OnlyFans, and Botox.
His attorneys had requested the minimum 24-month sentence, arguing that his actions &#8220;stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice,&#8221; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/nyregion/george-santos-sentencing-prison.html">according</a> to The New York Times, with the judge ultimately accepting the prosecution&#8217;s recommended sentence.

Former Representative George Santos Faces Sentencing For Fraud

Disgraced Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced To More Than 7 Years In Prison

Corruption

Courts

Department of Justice

Fraud

New York

U.S. House of Representatives

Former Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Santos</a> (R-NY), who was expelled from the House earlier this year, pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in New York on Monday.
A judge reportedly <a href="https://x.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/1825617860103746005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggested</a> Santos could face a six-to-eight year sentence. The Justice Department (DOJ) <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-congressman-george-santos-pleads-guilty-wire-fraud-and-aggravated-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> Santos will also pay restitution of $373,749.97 and forfeiture of $205,002.97.
Sentencing is <a href="https://x.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/1825623282315391211" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scheduled</a> to take place on February 7.
&#8220;I deeply regret my conduct and the harm it has caused and accept full responsibility for my actions,&#8221; Santos said in court, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/19/george-santos-guilty/74857375007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to USA Today</a>.
Federal prosecutors unveiled 23 charges against Santos last year, including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy stemming back to his 2022 campaign.
Santos had earlier <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/27/politics/george-santos-plea/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pleaded not guilty</a> to the charges.
The plea deal, which the DOJ said brings a mandatory two-year minimum sentence of imprisonment and a maximum of 22 years, came before Santos&#8217; trial was expected to begin in September.
Santos &#8220;will go to prison for at least two years. He will be required to forfeit the money he made illegally. And he will be required to repay the victims that he swindled,&#8221; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TND/videos/former-republican-rep-george-santos-is-expected-to-plead-guilty-monday/532519919118112/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.
A pair of Santos&#8217; former aides have also <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sam-miele-fundraiser-rep-george-santos-pleads-guilty/story?id=104875146" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pleaded</a> <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sam-miele-fundraiser-rep-george-santos-pleads-guilty/story?id=104875146" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty</a>.
Voters in the Long Island area elected Santos to the House in the 2022 election. He <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-new-york-us-house-district-3.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defeated</a> business owner and Democratic activist Robert Zimmerman.
Controversy quickly overshadowed Santos during his tenure, and within several months of him taking office, the Department of Justice announced charges.
Santos faced calls to resign and had survived <a href="https://rollcall.com/2023/11/01/rep-george-santos-easily-survives-second-attempt-to-expel-him-from-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple attempts</a> by colleagues to expel him from the House, but that changed following a scathing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-house-of-representatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House</a> Ethics Committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/george-santos-says-he-wont-seek-re-election-after-release-of-ethics-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>.
A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-votes-to-expel-george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vote in December</a>, which required a two-thirds majority to succeed, resulted in his ouster in December.
In the special election that followed, Democrat Tom Suozzi <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/slim-house-gop-majority-takes-a-hit-with-dem-winning-contest-to-replace-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prevailed</a> over his GOP rival, Mazi Pilip, to serve out the remainder of the term originally won by Santos.
Suozzi is now <a href="https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/examining-the-congressional-battleground-districts-of-new-york/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected</a> to face off against former State Assemblymember Michael LiPetri Jr. in the 2024 election in the 3rd Congressional District for another two-year term.
Santos briefly ran a new campaign against Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), a Republican from a nearby district who had <a href="https://lalota.house.gov/media/press-releases/lalota-expel-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushed</a> for Santos&#8217; expulsion, but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-congress-campaign-a4c4cc2ea7cb52a13ec9f8dfc5ede86c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> his withdrawal from the race in April.

George Santos Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

U.S.

Former Rep. George <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/george-santos">Santos</a> (R-NY) has filed a lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel accusing the ABC late-night talk show host of tricking him into making videos that made him the subject of ridicule on national television.
In a suit filed Saturday in U.S. district court for the southern district of New York, Santos accuses ABC, Walt Disney Co., and Kimmel, of copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/18/santos-sues-jimmy-kimmel-for-tricking-him-into-making-videos-to-ridicule-him-00142059">POLITICO</a> reported.
In the suit, Santos alleged Kimmel misrepresented himself in order to get Santos to create videos on the Cameo app &#8220;capitalizing on and ridiculing&#8221; his &#8220;gregarious personality.&#8221; Cameo connects famous people with fans who can request personalized video messages.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Santos sues Jimmy Kimmel for tricking him into making videos to ridicule him <a href="https://t.co/yRXhP8eETS">https://t.co/yRXhP8eETS</a>
— POLITICO (@politico) <a href="https://twitter.com/politico/status/1759184498028171304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
The ex-rep claimed he received at least 14 &#8220;fake requests&#8221; from Kimmel&#8217;s show under &#8220;phony names&#8221; used to deceive Santos. 
Unbeknownst to Santos, the videos started being broadcast in December on &#8220;Jimmy Kimmel Live!&#8221; in a segment called &#8220;Will Santos Say It?,&#8221; the suit said.
One such clip included Santos congratulating a fake winner of a beef-eating contest, calling the purported feat of consuming six pounds of loose ground beef in less than 30 minutes &#8220;amazing and impressive.&#8221; 
Santos&#8217; attorney, Robert Fantone, admitted in an email to POLITICO that the fake requests were funny, but were still a &#8220;clear violation of copyright law.&#8221;
In the suit, the ex-rep is seeking damages totaling $750,000 for the five special Cameo videos he made that ended up being broadcast on Kimmel&#8217;s late-night show and were also played on various social media platforms.
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Santos was expelled from Congress in December after a House ethics report accused him of criminal activity. He faces 23 federal charges related to allegations of fraud, misusing campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The House Ethics Committee released a <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/Committee%20Report_53.pdf">report</a> in November that was heavily critical of the then-congressman&#8217;s conduct, saying that a &#8220;review of the allegations and charges&#8221; showed &#8220;overwhelming evidence of his misconduct.&#8221;
Zach Jewell contributed to this piece.

2021 Media Access Awards Presented By Easterseals

George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For Tricking Him Into Making Videos

Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel For Tricking Him Into Making Videos 

Election

Entertainment

Jimmy Kimmel

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) — who was booted from his seat in early December following a scathing ethics report — blasted his former Republican colleagues in a group chat on Tuesday night after Democrat Tom Souzzi <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/slim-house-gop-majority-takes-a-hit-with-dem-winning-contest-to-replace-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won the special election</a> to replace him.
According to reports from <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/george-santos-mercilessly-trolls-gop-after-democrats-win-his-old-seat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Beast</a> and <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/02/14/2024/george-santos-puts-former-congressional-colleagues-in-group-chat-to-call-them-fing-idiots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Semafor</a>, Santos put some of his former colleagues in a group chat and texted them his disgust after Souzzi defeated Republican candidate Mazi Pilip. The Democrats’ win in the special election slimmed the GOP’s majority in the U.S. House from seven seats to six seats, with four vacancies in the 435-member chamber.
“I hope you guys are happy with this dismal performance and your 10 million for futile Bull S*** cost the party,” he reportedly said in a message sent to most of the New York Republicans who <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/01/us/politics/santos-expulsion-vote-tracker.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> to expel him. “I look very forward to most of you losing due to your absolute hate filled campaign to remove me from Congress arbitrarily. Now go tell the Republicans Base what you f***ing idiots did and good luck raising money next quarter.”
A screenshot of the text chain that Santos shared with Semafor showed that Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) responded to Santos’ message, writing, “Sorry new phone, who dis?”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
🟡NEW via <a href="https://twitter.com/kadiagoba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kadiagoba</a>: Ex-Rep. George Santos texted his former New York Republican colleagues to trash them for pushing to remove him from Congress after Rs lost NY03 seat.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino responded: “Sorry new phone , who dis?” <a href="https://t.co/6xr2SY2NHZ">https://t.co/6xr2SY2NHZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XqICWLnc37">pic.twitter.com/XqICWLnc37</a>
&mdash; Joseph Zeballos-Roig (@josephzeballos) <a href="https://twitter.com/josephzeballos/status/1757823126732197967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Santos <a href="https://twitter.com/MrSantosNY/status/1757600999215104413" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> multiple times on social media about the Republicans’ election loss Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/MrSantosNY/status/1757664975651262656" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arguing</a> that he “FLIPPED a 23 year Blue seat with the help of grassroots activists and by activating the base with retail politics.” He also said that Republicans disrespected former President Donald Trump’s loyal supporters during the race.
“#NY3 is #MAGA country and since MAGA was disrespected, MAGA stayed home!” Santos added.
Santos’ post echoed Trump’s take on the election. The former president <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/111927900516733014" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on Truth Social Tuesday night that “Republicans just don’t learn” and called Pilip a “foolish woman” for not endorsing him.
“I have an almost 99% Endorsement Success Rate in Primaries, and a very good number in the General Elections, as well, but just watched this very foolish woman, Mazi Melesa Pilip, running in a race where she didn’t endorse me and tried to ‘straddle the fence,’ when she would have easily WON if she understood anything about MODERN DAY politics in America,” Trump said. “MAGA, WHICH IS MOST OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, STAYED HOME &#8211; AND IT ALWAYS WILL, UNLESS IT IS TREATED WITH THE RESPECT THAT IT DESERVES. I STAYED OUT OF THE RACE, “I WANT TO BE LOVED!” GIVE US A REAL CANDIDATE IN THE DISTRICT FOR NOVEMBER. SUOZZI, I KNOW HIM WELL, CAN BE EASILY BEATEN!”
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The House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-votes-to-expel-george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> on December 1, 2023, to expel Santos, with 311 representatives voting in the affirmative and 114 voting against, with two representatives voting present. Democrats, who remained mostly united in their vote for Santos’ expulsion, were joined by 105 Republicans.
Santos faces 23 federal charges related to allegations of fraud, misusing campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The House Ethics Committee released a <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/Committee%20Report_53.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> in November that was heavily critical of the then-congressman’s conduct, saying that a &#8220;review of the allegations and charges&#8221; showed &#8220;overwhelming evidence of his misconduct.&#8221;
Santos became the sixth U.S. House member to be expelled but made history as the first member expelled before being convicted of a crime or having fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

George Santos Blasts Former GOP Colleagues In Group Text After Dem Wins Special Election To Replace Him

Elections

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-house-of-representatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House</a> GOP&#8217;s narrow majority is poised to get even smaller with the result of Tuesday&#8217;s special election in New York&#8217;s 3rd Congressional District to replace freshman Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Santos</a> (R-NY) following his ouster.
News outlets <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Politics/status/1757601637923684352" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> the race in favor of Democrat Tom Suozzi over his GOP rival, Mazi Pilip, in their race to finish out what is roughly 11 months left in the two-year term for the Long Island seat a couple within a couple hours of polls closing.
The contest reached a conclusion on the heels of a failed <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ballots-and-boundaries/republicans-fail-in-bid-to-block-mail-voting-for-santos-election" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GOP bid to stop</a> no-excuse mail-in voting for the special election and, in a twist of fate, a winter storm hit the area just in time for election day, lowering expectations for turnout.
Suozzi, who previously held the seat for six years, and Pilip both <a href="https://twitter.com/brittanys/status/1757199152147026097" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> voters <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNewYork/status/1757458797310697818" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rides</a> to the polls and the Congressional Leadership Fund, a House GOP super PAC, <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1757492813338464332" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hired</a> snow plow companies to help clear roads.
Heading into the special election, the House <a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">party breakdown</a> was 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats, with four vacancies in the 435-member chamber.
Lawmakers voted to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-votes-to-expel-george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expel</a> Santos in early December following a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/george-santos-says-he-wont-seek-re-election-after-release-of-ethics-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scathing ethics report</a>. He also faces 23 federal charges — including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy — to which the ex-congressman has pleaded not guilty.
After losing the speakership in October, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kevin-mccarthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rep. Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-CA) opted to leave Congress at the end of last year. California <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/newsom-announces-dates-for-special-election-to-replace-mccarthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">settled on</a> a March 19 primary and general election on May 21 <a href="https://twitter.com/rpyers/status/1744420082577559917" target="_blank" rel="noopener">if no candidate</a> beats the 50% threshold.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) left office in January to <a href="https://www.wfmj.com/story/50294578/bill-johnson-to-begin-serving-as-ysu-president-earlier-than-expected-resigns-from-congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">become president</a> of Youngstown State University. Ohio is <a href="https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/01/04/special-election-for-ohio-congress-seat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">going with</a> a special election primary for Johnson&#8217;s vacant seat on March 19 and a general election on June 11.
And one Democrat, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), stepped down in February to become president and CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. April 30 is the <a href="https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/your-local-election-headquarters-new-york-state/ny-26-special-election-date-to-fill-higgins-seat-in-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">date</a> chosen for the special election to snag the Buffalo-area seat.
Beyond vacancies, the both major parties in the House have grappled with absences due to medical reasons.
A bid to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas just barely <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-republicans-fail-to-impeach-mayorkas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">failed last week</a> with attendance being key to whether House Republicans could overcome a trio of defections.
Rep. Al Green (D-TX) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/scalise-expects-return-next-week-could-break-mayorkas-impeachment-standoff" target="_blank" rel="noopener">showed</a> up at the last moment to cast what amounted to the decisive vote against impeachment while in a wheelchair after being rushed from a hospital where he had been recovering from abdominal surgery.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) was the sole missing vote as he had been out of Washington and working remotely for several weeks to undergo a stem cell transplant for his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rep-steve-scalise-delivers-update-on-cancer-battle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fight against blood cancer</a> and then recover from the treatment.
With Scalise back on Capitol Hill this week, the GOP-led House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-impeaches-mayorkas-in-second-attempt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> 214-213 earlier on Tuesday to impeach Mayorkas despite three Republican defectors joining with all voting Democrats to oppose the effort.
Other issues that House lawmakers are expected to consider include <a href="https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1757513067137536003" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appropriations</a> legislation to avert a government shutdown, FISA reauthorization, and whether to bring articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden.
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<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mike-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaker Mike Johnson</a> (R-LA) spoke last month about the political situation for House Republicans as he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-passes-rule-in-second-attempt-johnson-ducks-gop-revolt-for-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced pushback</a> from a group of conservatives, including members of the Freedom Caucus, amid negotiations on spending and border security with a Senate and White House that are controlled by Democrats.
&#8220;Everyone understands the reality of where we are,&#8221; Johnson <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/us/politics/mike-johnson-republican-majority.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at a news conference. &#8220;The House Republicans have the second-smallest majority in history. We&#8217;re not going to get everything that we want. But we&#8217;re going to stick to our core conservative principles.&#8221;

Tom Suozzi

Slim House GOP Majority Takes A Hit With Dem Winning Contest To Replace Santos

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/house-republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Republicans</a> have to &#8220;keep the team together&#8221; if they want to get anything done with an ever-narrowing majority in the House, according to Speaker <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mike-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Johnson</a> (R-LA).
In an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdlPT5az64Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> that aired on Sunday morning, Fox News journalist Raymond Arroyo pressed Johnson on what the House GOP can accomplish after the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-votes-to-expel-george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expulsion of</a> Rep. George Santos (R-NY) and the early <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kevin-mccarthy-to-retire-from-house-after-losing-speakership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retirement</a> announcement of former Speaker <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kevin-mccarthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-CA), alluding to the decreasing number of defections the GOP can abide in close votes.
&#8220;We have to keep the team together and I think everybody understands the importance of the job that we have to do. We have to demonstrate we can govern well,&#8221; Johnson replied. &#8220;When we do that, I think we&#8217;ll expand the majority and we&#8217;ll be in a much better situation in the next round.&#8221;
What had been a <a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four-vote margin</a> by which Republicans could pass legislation is now starting to shrink. House Republicans are down to <a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">221 members</a>, while Democrats have 213. And the GOP&#8217;s advantage could take another hit depending on whether a Democrat wins Santos&#8217; Long Island seat in a February <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/07/santos-seat-suozzi-00130737" target="_blank" rel="noopener">special election</a>.
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Looking ahead, McCarthy said he plans to exit Congress by the end of the year. Rep. Bill Young (R-OH) <a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-republicans-speaker-92c63abfcc202d86321f5796fdf300dd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is expected to follow</a> in the coming months after he accepted a job as president of Youngstown State University. At least one Democrat, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), is <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4306322-longtime-ny-house-democrat-brian-higgins-to-resign-citing-frustrations-in-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poised to step down</a> in February.
The GOP-led House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-elects-mike-johnson-as-speaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">elected</a> Johnson as its 56th speaker in late October, ending a weeks-long stalemate after several Republicans joined with Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy as speaker.
Johnson has a daunting task in front of him as Congress grapples with spending legislation to keep the government open, a massive defense authorization bill, and a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/it-isnt-xenophobic-fetterman-encourages-border-security-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supplemental funds measure</a> that would boost allies such as Israel and Ukraine. And, in the coming days, the House is slated to vote on whether to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-gop-releases-biden-impeachment-probe-resolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">formalize an impeachment inquiry</a> into President Joe Biden.
One vocal member of the GOP conference, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), recently critiqued her party&#8217;s situation in the House, <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG/status/1732438386084806665" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, &#8220;I can assure you Republican voters didn’t give us the majority to crash the ship.&#8221;

Speaker Mike Johnson

Speaker Johnson Says House GOP Has To ‘Keep The Team Together’ Amid Dwindling Majority

Speaker Johnson Says House GOP Has To 'Keep The Team Together'

House Republicans

Kevin McCarthy

Mike Johnson

At least four gold bars that federal investigators recovered during their search of Sen. Bob Menendez&#8217;s (D-NJ) home are directly linked to one of the men accused of bribing Menendez.
In 2013, businessman Fred Daibes filed a police report stating that he was the victim of an armed robbery and that the assailants took $500,000 in cash from him and nearly two dozen gold bars.
Police later caught the suspects and Daibes&#8217; property was returned to him, including the gold bars. According to Daibes, who had to sign a document certifying that the property was his, the gold bars all had unique serial numbers that would never be duplicated onto another gold bar.
&#8220;Each gold bar has its own serial number,&#8221; he told investigators at the time. &#8220;They’re all stamped … you’ll never see two stamped the same way.&#8221;
Four of the gold bars that investigators recovered from Menendez&#8217;s home have the same serial numbers as four of the 22 gold bars that were stolen and later returned to Daibes.
Daibes was charged in the federal indictment for allegedly conspiring to bribe Menendez and conspiring to commit fraud.
The <a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23989441/us_v_menendez_et_al_indictment.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indictment says</a> that Menendez and his wife had a corrupt relationship with New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes, who allegedly gave the senator bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to the DOJ, the bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.
NBC legal analyst Danny Cevallas said, &#8220;All of this spells bad news for Senator Menendez because the chain of custody – it appears – is going to be really easy to prove up.&#8221;
Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/john-fetterman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Fetterman</a> (D-PA) called for Menendez to be expelled from the Senate last week after the U.S. House of Representatives expelled now-former Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
“Senator Menendez, he needs to go,” Fetterman said. “And if you are going to expel Santos, how can you allow somebody like Menendez to remain in the Senate? And, you know, Santos is kind of, lies were almost, you know, funny. And like, you know, he, you know, landed on the moon and that kind of stuff.”
“Whereas, you know, I think, you know, Menendez, I think is really a senator for Egypt. You know, not New Jersey. So I really think he needs to go,” Fetterman said. “He has the right for his day in court and all that, but he doesn’t have the right to have those kinds of votes and things that — that’s not a right. And I think we need to make that kind of decision to send him out.”

Bob Menendez

Gold Bars Recovered In Menendez Bribery Case Linked To 2013 Robbery: Report

Bribery

John Fetterman

Robbery

Senate

Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/john-fetterman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Fetterman</a> (D-PA) called for Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bob-menendez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Menendez</a> (D-NJ) to be expelled from the U.S. Senate on Friday as now-former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Fetterman&#8217;s remarks, which he made during a lengthy interview that he gave on ABC’s &#8220;The View,&#8221; came after the House voted to expel Santos after an Ethics Committee report said that he lied and following numerous federal counts he was charged with, including alleged aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
The freshman senator said that he was &#8220;not surprised&#8221; that Santos was removed, but believed that &#8220;the more important picture is that we have a colleague in the Senate that actually does much more sinister and serious kinds of things.&#8221;
&#8220;Senator Menendez, he needs to go,&#8221; Fetterman said. &#8220;And if you are going to expel Santos, how can you allow somebody like Menendez to remain in the Senate? And, you know, Santos is kind of, lies were almost, you know, funny. And like, you know, he, you know, landed on the moon and that kind of stuff.&#8221;
&#8220;Whereas, you know, I think, you know, Menendez, I think is really a senator for Egypt. You know, not New Jersey. So I really think he needs to go,&#8221; Fetterman said. &#8220;He has the right for his day in court and all that, but he doesn’t have the right to have those kinds of votes and things that — that’s not a right. And I think we need to make that kind of decision to send him out.”
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WATCH:
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Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was on The View and he too argued that Menendez was far worse than Santos: &quot;I think, you know, Menendez, I think is really a senator for Egypt, not New Jersey.&quot; Hostin whines that there are calls for Menendez to go before &quot;adjudication.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3FSvEEg190">pic.twitter.com/3FSvEEg190</a>
&mdash; Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/1730630652125450545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Santos&#8217; expulsion vote, which required a two-thirds majority, passed easily with 311 representatives voting in the affirmative to 114 voting against, and two voting present. Democrats, who remained mostly united in their vote for Santos’ expulsion, were joined by 105 Republicans.
The New York congressman’s expulsion comes after all four of the top Republican House leaders said they would vote against expelling Santos. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House GOP Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) all opposed expelling Santos, CNN reported. The Republican leaders believed an expulsion could set a bad precedent since the New York representative has yet to be convicted of any crimes. GOP House leadership also did not work to whip up any votes to keep Santos from being expelled, with Johnson saying it was a vote of conscience.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-votes-to-expel-george-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Votes To Expel George Santos</a>

Senate Takes Up Funding Bill After House Passage

Fetterman Pushes To Expel Menendez From Senate After Santos Booted From House

The House voted Friday to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) following his numerous federal charges, including alleged aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
The expulsion vote, which required a two-thirds majority, <a href="https://twitter.com/Olivia_Beavers/status/1730618065593745657" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed easily</a> with 311 representatives voting in the affirmative to 114 voting against, and two voting present. Democrats, who remained mostly united in their vote for Santos&#8217; expulsion, were joined by 105 Republicans.
The New York congressman&#8217;s expulsion comes after all four of the top Republican House leaders said they would vote against expelling Santos. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House GOP Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) all opposed expelling Santos, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/george-santos-expulsion-vote-12-1-23/index.html">reported</a>. The Republican leaders believed an expulsion could set a bad precedent since the New York representative has yet to be convicted of any crimes. GOP House leadership also did not work to whip up any votes to keep Santos from being expelled, with Johnson saying it was a vote of conscience. 
Earlier this week, the House Speaker said he had &#8220;real reservations&#8221; about voting to expel Santos, saying, &#8220;I’m concerned about a precedent that may be set for that.&#8221;
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The House Ethics Committee released a report last month heavily critical of the freshman congressman’s conduct. Santos <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/george-santos-expulsion-vote-12-1-23/index.html">faces</a> 23 federal charges related to allegations of fraud, misusing campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. 
Friday&#8217;s vote was the House&#8217;s <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4337205-house-expels-george-santos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third attempt</a> over the past six months to boot Santos, and his expulsion marked the first time since 2002 that a member has been removed from office. Santos became the sixth U.S. House member to be expelled, but <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-lawmaker-george-santos-indicted-fraud-charges-faces-house-expulsion-vote-2023-12-01/#:~:text=Santos%20is%20only%20the%20sixth,following%20his%20criminal%20corruption%20conviction." target="_blank" rel="noopener">made history</a> as the first member expelled before being convicted of a crime or having fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. The most recent members who were expelled were Reps. Michael Myers (D-PA) in 1980 and James Traficant (D-OH) in 2002. Both Myers and Traficant were convicted of crimes after they were caught taking bribes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The list that former Rep. George Santos joins: <a href="https://t.co/7zq8fBkbsk">pic.twitter.com/7zq8fBkbsk</a>
&mdash; Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveKornacki/status/1730619173791793400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In a floor speech on Tuesday, Santos <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1729670939648950595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1729670939648950595%7Ctwgr%5E91f89ef517c7acaaf4f5e2e7b372bc1b59404ee5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fspeaker-johnson-has-reservations-about-expelling-santos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> that his expulsion would set &#8220;a very dangerous precedent.”
&#8220;This expulsion vote simply undermines and underscores the precedent that we&#8217;ve had in this chamber &#8230; It puts us in a new direction, a dangerous one that sets a very dangerous precedent,&#8221; he said.
The House clerk is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/george-santos-expulsion-vote-12-1-23" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tasked</a> with informing New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul about the expulsion, and it will be up to her to schedule a special election to replace Santos, who leaves after less than a year in office.
This is a breaking story; refresh the page for updates.

House Votes To Expel George Santos

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