Santos Drops Re-Election Bid Immediately After Brutal Ethics Report

Investigators found that the fabulist Congressman broke the law and “warrants public condemnation.” Expulsion may be around the corner.

After the House Ethics Committee released its long-awaited report on George Santos Thursday morning concluding that the freshman congressman committed “grave and pervasive campaign finance violations and fraudulent activity,” Santos took to social media to announce that he would not run for re-election in 2024. The question now is whether he’ll last another year in Congress.

In a statement, Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Susan Wild said the panel’s investigative subcommittee discovered “substantial evidence” that Santos knowingly used campaign funds for personal reasons, filed false or incomplete reports to the FEC and violated the Ethics in Government Act. “The Committee concurs with the ISC’s determination that Representative Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House,” they wrote. The report was forwarded to the Department of Justice.

In a lengthy post on X, Santos railed against the Ethics Committee, calling the report a “disgusting politicized smear.” But the congressman said he no longer intends to run for a second term.

“I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time,” he said.

The report’s release marked a new stage of vulnerability for Santos who had, so far, managed to elude any significant punishment from Congress. Earlier this month, the congressman survived a vote to expel him from the House sponsored by many of his fellow New York Republican colleagues. The vote failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed for its passage, with many members voicing concern about getting out in front of the Ethics Committee’s ongoing investigation.

But with the committee’s findings now public, that calculation could change significantly. Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who authored the expulsion resolution, previously suggested that he might reintroduce the measure following the release of the Ethics report when it might receive more support.

After the report was released, D’Esposito continued his call for Santos to be removed from office.

“The newly released House Ethics Committee report on George Santos is in alignment with my long-held belief that this fraudster has no place serving in the People’s House, and I once again call on my colleagues to join me in advocating for George Santos’ expulsion from Congress,” he said in a statement.