Republican Congressman George Santos has announced that he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024, effectively ending his controversial tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Santos, who flipped the New York seat red in the 2022 midterm elections, faced numerous controversies even before his swearing-in. Reports emerged about him lying about his past, allegations of running fraudulent schemes, and a prospective staffer accusing him of making unwanted sexual advances. Although Santos admitted to “embellishing” his resumé, he denied any criminal wrongdoing.
Amid mounting questions about his political rise and finances, the House Ethics Committee and multiple government agencies launched investigations into Santos’ actions. A federal investigation resulted in 23 criminal charges against Santos, including aggravated identity theft, money laundering, wire fraud, theft of public funds, falsifying records, and making false statements. Santos pleaded not guilty to all counts. However, his former campaign treasurer and campaign fundraiser both pleaded guilty to felony charges.
The final blow for Santos came when the House Ethics Committee released a damning report summarizing its investigation into his conduct. The committee claimed to have found “significant evidence” of wrongdoing, which will be forwarded to the Department of Justice. As a result, Santos announced his decision not to seek reelection in 2024. Efforts to expel Santos from Congress have been made by lawmakers from both parties, citing a loss of public trust and distraction from congressional work. Mississippi Republican Michael Guest, chair of the House Ethics Committee, is expected to introduce another expulsion measure based on the new evidence. Unless expelled sooner, Santos will vacate the seat in January 2025.
