Santos Says He Will Push for Prison Reform After Trump Commutation

‘Repentance is an understatement; it’s like I have been dealt a second chance,’ the former lawmaker said.

George Santos, who was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, departs after the sentencing in his criminal corruption charges at Central Islip Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, N.Y., on April 25, 2025. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Former congressman George Santos expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for commuting his seven-year prison sentence and said he plans to devote his second chance to reforming U.S. prisons.

The former New York legislator was released from prison on Oct. 17 after serving less than three months for wire fraud and identity theft. His release came just hours after Trump announced a sentence commutation for him that day.