Representative George Santos (R-NY) has become the sixth lawmaker in history to be expelled from the House after a decisive 311-114 vote.
His expulsion, following two previously unsuccessful votes, was fueled by intense scrutiny over falsehoods regarding his professional and personal background, a federal indictment and a damning investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
The House expelled Santos, with 105 Republicans and 206 Democrats supporting his removal. Notably, the eight-month House Ethics Committee investigation, culminating in a report released in mid-November, played a pivotal role. The report presented “substantial evidence” of Santos violating federal law.
Some Republicans, previously hesitant to expel Santos, found the bipartisan nature of the committee’s report compelling. Representative Ken Buck from Colorado, who had opposed expulsion before, noted, “I think he’s been given the fair due process now.”
Santos, dismissing the report as “biased” and a “politicized smear,” claimed that his expulsion would be a result of personal animosity rather than any legitimate charges. In anticipation of his expulsion, Santos issued critiques and threats against colleagues, vowing to “have fun on my way out” and hinting at undisclosed revelations.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Santos faces a 23-count federal indictment for charges ranging from identity theft to money laundering. A special election will now be held to fill the vacancy in New York’s third Congressional district.
The pivotal factor in Santos’s case was the ethics investigation, revealing that he “blatantly stole from his campaign” and misused funds for personal expenses like Botox, OnlyFans, and luxury trips. The investigation prompted some Republicans, including Reps. Greg Murphy, Stephanie Bice, and Dusty Johnson, to shift their stance and support expulsion.
The federal charges against Santos include identity theft, wire fraud, credit card fraud, and money laundering, with accusations of unauthorized charges on donors’ credit cards and fabrication of campaign records. Beyond legal issues, Santos faced scrutiny for fabricating aspects of his background, further complicating his political standing.
George Santos getting kicked out has turned into a social media joke. He’s cashing in on his short-lived fame by selling cameo videos for over $200. People online are having a field day with memes, poking fun at all the lies Santos told during his time in politics. It’s become a digital comedy show after his political downfall.
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