New York Rep. George Santos says he expects to be forced out of Congress by the resolution involving his legal challenges.
The embattled lawmaker said he would wear the expulsion "like a badge of honor." During an X Space hosted by the conservative media personality Monica Matthews, Santos revealed his expectations that he would be forced out when the resolution goes to the floor.
George Santos Expulsion
Earlier this month, the Ethics Committee released a 56-page report that said there was "substantial evidence" that the New York representative violated federal law. It also alleges that Santos funneled large sums of money through his campaign and businesses to pay for his expenses.
These include cosmetic procedures such as Botox at luxury stores Hermes and Ferragamo, on smaller purchases at OnlyFans, meals, parking, travel, and rent. Following the report's release, the Ethics Committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest, introduced a resolution to expel Santos.
The Mississippi Republican said the report's findings were "more than sufficient to warrant punishment and the most appropriate punishment is expulsion." On the other hand, the New York representative dared Guest to introduce his resolution as "privileged." This would mean that the House must consider the measure within two legislative days, as per CBS News.
Santos said that Guest thought he would bully him out of Congress, adding that he would not resign. Guest also called the report a "political opposition hit piece at best." The New York lawmaker wanted to see his critics set this precedent.
He noted that it would set a new era of due process where someone is guilty until proven innocent. Santos said that those who criticize him are taking accusations and are using them to smear, mangle, destroy him, and remove him from society.
The Republican lawmaker declined to address the specific allegations in the report, claiming they were "slanderous." He also said that defending himself against the accusations could be used against him in the federal case. He has so far pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges.
A Series of Legal Challenges
The report also comes after Santos has already survived two expulsion attempts by his Republican colleagues. The Ethics Committee's investigation into the New York lawmaker began in March following allegations of campaign finance misconduct and Santos lying about his biographical details, according to The Hill.
Santos was later indicted on 13 federal charges in May 2023 and in October, a superseding indictment brought another ten criminal charges against him. He was charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making false statements to the House.
After the report was published, Santos said that he would not be running for re-election despite saying otherwise in the past. To be expelled from the House, two-thirds must vote him out, and reports suggest that enough members are prepared to do just that, said The Guardian.
