Rep. George Santos Braces for Congressional Expulsion, Calls It a 'Badge of Honor'
In a defiant statement, New York Republican Representative George Santos declared that he anticipates being expelled from Congress, vowing to "wear it like a badge of honor." During a discussion on X Space with conservative media figure Monica Matthews, Santos expressed a bleak outlook on his political future.
"I've repeatedly gone over the numbers, and frankly, the outlook is grim," Santos admitted with a laugh, acknowledging the likelihood of expulsion when the resolution hits the floor.
The Ethics Committee recently published a comprehensive 56-page report, citing "substantial evidence" suggesting that Santos violated federal law. The report details accusations of Santos funneling significant amounts of money through his campaign and business entities for personal use. Alleged expenditures include cosmetic procedures, shopping sprees at high-end stores like Hermès and Ferragamo, subscriptions to OnlyFans (known for adult content), and various other personal expenses.
Following the release of this damning report, Rep. Michael Guest, chairman of the Ethics Committee and a fellow Republican, put forward a resolution for Santos' expulsion. Guest described the findings as overwhelmingly justifying severe disciplinary action, with expulsion deemed the most fitting.
In response, Santos issued a bold challenge to Guest, urging him to present the resolution as "privileged" — a move that would necessitate House consideration within two legislative days. Santos accused Guest of attempting to intimidate him out of Congress and dismissed the report as nothing more than "a political opposition hit piece."
Santos, unyielding in his refusal to resign, criticized the proceedings as a dangerous precedent undermining the principle of due process. "This sets a new standard — guilty until proven innocent," he argued. "It's an attempt to use accusations as a weapon to tarnish, torment, and ultimately exile someone from society."
While Santos refrained from addressing the specific allegations, citing potential repercussions in his ongoing federal case, he labeled the claims as slanderous. He currently faces 23 federal charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.