Pressure Mounts for Expulsion of Rep. George Santos Amidst Ethics Scandal and Federal Charges

Chloe Whisperwillow

Updated Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 9:47 PM CDT

Pressure Mounts for Expulsion of Rep. George Santos Amidst Ethics Scandal and Federal Charges

In a dramatic turn of events, Rep. George Santos, the embattled Republican from New York, is on the brink of expulsion from the House of Representatives as bipartisan pressure grows following a series of federal charges and ethics violations. Accused of nearly two dozen federal charges, including identity theft, unauthorized credit card charges, money laundering, and wire fraud, Santos has become the center of a political storm that is shaking the halls of Congress.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Santos has defiantly stated that he will not resign and is prepared to accept expulsion, which he sees as a "badge of honor." This stance comes after the House Ethics Committee, chaired by Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), released a scathing report on November 16, detailing how Santos allegedly exploited his candidacy for personal financial gain and misused campaign funds for personal expenses. The report included eyebrow-raising details of purchases at luxury retailer Hermes and subscription-based platform OnlyFans.

The Ethics Committee's findings have prompted both Chairman Guest and Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) to submit resolutions seeking Santos' expulsion. Adding to the momentum, California Rep. Robert Garcia (D) and New York Rep. Dan Goldman (D) have introduced a privileged resolution to force a vote on Santos' removal, which is required to be addressed within two legislative days.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been engaged in discussions with Santos about his precarious situation, hinting that a resignation could spare GOP lawmakers from a contentious vote. However, with a two-thirds majority needed to expel a member from the House—a threshold that appears to have bipartisan backing—Santos' days as a congressman may be numbered.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who initially voted against expulsion, has now indicated her support for the motion due to the gravity of the allegations in the Ethics Committee's report. The report also reveals that Santos falsely reported a $500,000 loan to his campaign while his bank account held less than $8,000.

Santos, who has admitted to embellishing parts of his resume, has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and has faced widespread criticism for what has been described as a "life of fabrication." Lawmakers are now anticipating a bipartisan vote to expel Santos, with some shifting their stance in favor of his removal after the Ethics Committee's revelations.

If expelled, Santos would become only the sixth member of the House to be removed by colleagues and the first in recent history without a criminal conviction. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) has expressed that he would vote to expel Santos if he does not voluntarily step down.

Despite surviving two previous attempts to oust him in May and early November, the recent push following the Ethics Committee's findings may prove insurmountable for Santos. Scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, Santos has described his tumultuous time in politics as "my year from Hell."

The New York Times has reported that "dozens" of lawmakers see the Ethics Committee's report as the decisive factor in pressing for Santos' expulsion. Reflecting on his political journey, Santos tweeted about his unplanned entry into politics, calling it "dirty from the very bottom up." As House members await more conclusive evidence, such as "adverse ethics findings" or a criminal conviction, the controversy surrounding Santos continues to capture significant media attention, with some suggesting that being expelled could be perceived by him as a perverse accolade. The coming days will determine whether Santos' political career will end in disgrace or if he will cling to his seat amidst the growing clamor for his departure.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, we see the liberal mob in action, circling like vultures over Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York who has found himself on the receiving end of a political witch-hunt. Despite a barrage of charges and alleged ethics violations, Santos stands tall, refusing to bow down to the pressure. The left, in their usual fashion, is using this as another opportunity to tarnish the reputation of the GOP, ignoring the fact that Santos has pleaded not guilty and is yet to be convicted. Santos, a man of integrity, views this potential expulsion as a "badge of honor," demonstrating his willingness to stand against the liberal agenda. The Democrats, with their privileged resolutions and political maneuvering, are eager to force a vote on Santos' removal, further evidencing their bias and disregard for due process.

Liberal Bias:

In a shocking display of political corruption, Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, is facing expulsion from the House of Representatives following a series of federal charges and ethics violations. Despite the severity of the allegations, which include identity theft, unauthorized credit card charges, money laundering, and wire fraud, Santos has arrogantly stated that he will not resign. This is a clear example of the Republican party's refusal to hold its members accountable. Santos' defiance and refusal to step down, despite the overwhelming evidence against him, is a blatant disregard for ethics and the rule of law. The Republican party's attempt to protect Santos by hinting at a resignation to spare a contentious vote is a shameful evasion of justice. The GOP's willingness to support such a corrupt individual is a direct reflection of their moral bankruptcy.

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