U.S. House of Representatives Expels Congressman George Santos Amid Ethics Scandal and Criminal Charges

In a historic move, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to expel Congressman George Santos, marking the first expulsion since 2002 and making him only the sixth lawmaker to be removed from the lower chamber of Congress. The decision followed a damning ethics report and numerous criminal charges that have plagued Santos’s tumultuous tenure.

Mr. Santos, a 35-year-old Republican from Queens, left the Capitol with a defiant message to reporters, stating, “To hell with this place.” His departure came as no surprise, given the mounting controversies surrounding his past, including lies about his background and multiple allegations of fraud, all of which surfaced after his election.

Friday’s expulsion, the third attempt to remove Santos, succeeded with a resounding vote of 311 to 114, as lawmakers from both parties united in the decision. A swift exit from the Capitol and a refusal to answer questions marked Santos’s response as the outcome became clear.

Throughout his 11 months in office, Santos faced a barrage of criticism and calls for resignation from both Democrats and Republicans. His troubles began soon after his election when it was revealed that he had lied about his Wall Street career, college degrees, and Jewish ancestry. Subsequent allegations ranged from fabricating stories about scamming dog breeders to falsely claiming his mother died in the 9/11 attacks.

The final blow came from the House ethics committee, which found Santos had exploited his candidacy for personal financial gain. The committee accused him of using campaign funds for Botox treatments, credit card debt, expenses on OnlyFans, and trips to the Hamptons.

Expulsion votes are rare and require a two-thirds majority. Two previous attempts failed, with some arguing against removing someone not convicted of crimes. However, the gravity of the charges and ethical violations ultimately led to a decisive vote for expulsion.

Upon expulsion, Santos loses his status as a member of Congress, with his official website taken down, staff phones directed to generic voicemail, and his office stripped of its nameplate. Although he can still enjoy some privileges afforded to former members, such as dining in the House restaurant, his political career faces an uncertain future.

The expulsion leaves the House Republicans vulnerable, as Democrats have a chance to fill the vacancy and further reduce the Republican majority. Santos’s downfall, despite his historic victory in a Democratic-leaning district as the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress, underscores the severity of the ethical and legal challenges he now faces. With a federal fraud trial looming, Santos’s political fate remains uncertain, and speculation arises about a possible plea deal to avoid prison time.