WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, Rep. George Santos defiantly warned against his potential expulsion from Congress prior to being convicted in a court of law, stating that it would set a troublesome precedent for other members of the body. His expulsion is likely to be voted on Friday, with resolutions from both Republicans and Democrats calling for his removal. Santos, a first-term Republican congressman from New York, had previously survived two expulsion attempts but a House Ethics Committee report issued on Nov. 16 appears to have swayed more members towards his expulsion.
In a press conference outside the Capitol, Santos countered by highlighting historical precedents, emphasizing that previous expulsions were related to disloyalty during the Civil War or convictions in federal court. He argues that his situation is different, and expressed concern about the future impact on elected officials should members be removed based on mere allegations.
A House Ethics Committee report strongly condemned Santos, reporting “overwhelming evidence” of his lawbreaking conduct, leading to a conclusion that he “cannot be trusted”. This is the result of a lengthy investigation into his actions, which has now been handed over to the Justice Department. Santos is currently facing a 23-count federal indictment for theft and unauthorized credit card use, with prosecutors detailing tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges. Despite this, Santos has pleaded not guilty, denying any wrongdoing.
