George Santos Released from Prison After Trump Commutes Sentence.
Former Republican Congressman George Santos was released from prison on October 17, 2025, after President Donald Trump commuted his more than seven-year sentence. Santos had been serving time in a minimum-security federal prison in New Jersey after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. His crimes involved deceiving donors and using the identities of 11 people, including family members, to obtain campaign contributions. Despite his conviction and expulsion from Congress in 2023, Santos remained a controversial figure due to the extent of his fraudulent activities and fabricated biography.
President Trump described Santos as "somewhat of a rogue" but argued that the length of his sentence was excessive. Trump cited Santos' treatment in prison, including long periods in solitary confinement, as justification for commuting the sentence. The president wished Santos luck upon his release and praised his Republican voting record, comparing his offenses to less severe cases of dishonesty by other politicians.
Santos' prison release ended his 87-month sentence, which he began serving in July 2025. Although the commutation frees him from prison, it does not erase his conviction, and Santos remains liable for nearly $580,000 in restitution and forfeiture ordered by the court. He must also pay 10% of future income until these financial penalties are satisfied. Despite his legal troubles, Santos is eligible to run for federal office again, even though he was expelled from the House of Representatives.
The controversy surrounding Santos started with his 2022 election to New York’s 3rd District, which flipped the district to Republican control. Soon after his election, investigations revealed numerous falsehoods in his personal and professional biography. This led to congressional investigations, his expulsion from the House, and charges related to fraud and identity theft. Santos admitted to these offenses in a plea agreement to avoid trial.
Santos also highlighted his experience in solitary confinement, describing the conditions as severe and mentally taxing. His supporters, including notable Republican allies such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, advocated for clemency, with Greene writing to the Justice Department requesting a commutation.
Trump’s commutation of Santos' sentence reflects his broader tendency to use presidential clemency power for his political allies, a pattern that includes pardons related to the January 6 Capitol attack and other politically charged cases.
In summary, George Santos was freed from prison by a presidential commutation after serving a portion of his sentence for fraud and identity theft. His conviction remains, along with financial penalties, but he is now a free man with the potential to re-enter politics amid ongoing controversy around his past actions and character.