Disgraced former GOP Congressman says Justice Department is targeting conservatives like him: “I’m not a saint, but I’m not a criminal.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Republican Congressman George Santos made a tearful public plea Thursday night, asking President Donald Trump to consider granting him clemency after receiving what many conservatives view as an excessive 7-year prison sentence tied to campaign finance violations.
Appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Santos — once a rising GOP star from New York — became visibly emotional as he addressed President Trump directly.
“Mr. President, I’m not asking for a pardon. I’ll humbly accept a commutation, clemency, whatever you see fit,” Santos said, fighting tears. “I’m not an altar boy, but I’m certainly not a hardened criminal.”
Santos, 36, was sentenced last month to 87 months in federal prison and ordered to repay over $373,000 after pleading guilty to wire fraud, identity theft, and misuse of campaign donations. He is scheduled to surrender to federal authorities on July 25.
Conservatives Cry Foul: Is the DOJ Going Too Far?
Many on the right believe Santos is just the latest victim of a weaponized Justice Department under the Biden administration — with punishments unfairly targeting conservatives and Trump allies.
Santos emphasized this in the interview:
“No one understands what a politicized DOJ looks like better than President Trump,” he said. “Seven years for a first-time, nonviolent offender? That’s not justice. That’s a message.”
The former lawmaker, who briefly represented New York’s Democrat-leaning Third District, made headlines in 2023 after becoming just the sixth person ever expelled from Congress. His ouster followed a scathing House Ethics Committee report, which accused him of using campaign funds for luxury spa visits, OnlyFans, Botox, and lavish vacations.
Family, Fraud, and Fallout
Santos admitted to submitting false campaign finance reports and defrauding supporters — including family members — during his 2022 campaign. In one shocking revelation, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) said both he and his mother had their credit card information improperly used by Santos’ campaign.
Though Santos served less than a year in Congress, the fallout from his case continues to ripple across Washington.
Trump’s Role in a Potential Pardon
Trump’s new acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, is now responsible for handling pardon and clemency requests — sparking speculation that Santos may stand a real chance of receiving presidential relief.
“I’m working on my formal application now,” Santos confirmed. “This isn’t a political ploy — it’s about getting a fair shot.”
Backlash, Redemption, and the Road Ahead
With Democrats cheering his downfall and many in the media gloating, some conservatives see Santos as another example of selective justice. Whether President Trump intervenes remains to be seen, but the Santos case has already energized debate over political double standards and the future of free and fair justice in America.