George Santos is appealing to Donald Trump for clemency, saying his seven-year prison sentence for campaign-related crimes is excessive and politically motivated.
Santos, elected in 2022 as the first openly gay Republican nonincumbent in Congress, quickly fell from grace after reports revealed he fabricated much of his personal and professional background. In May 2023, he was indicted on 23 counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and other offenses related to misusing donor funds and falsely reporting campaign finances.
On Thursday, Santos appeared on "Piers Morgan Uncensored," tearfully asking Trump to consider a pardon, commutation, or clemency ahead of his scheduled surrender to federal custody on July 25.
Santos, 36, said he was "not an altar boy," but also "not a hardened criminal," and argued that his punishment was disproportionate for a first-time offender.
"I'll take a commutation, clemency, whatever the president is willing to give me," Santos said, while adding he was "not entertaining a pardon."
He also accused the Justice Department under Attorney General Merrick Garland of weaponizing the legal system.
"I do believe this is an unfair judgment handed down to me," Santos said. "I think there was a lot of politicization over the process."
Santos is currently completing the formal application for presidential clemency and has been ordered to repay over $373,000 as part of his sentencing. Trump, who has previously pardoned allies with campaign finance convictions, has not publicly responded to the request.
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