Rep. George Santos says he expects to be kicked out of Congress as expulsion vote looms

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Representative George Santos anticipates his imminent expulsion from Congress in light of the forthcoming vote on the matter. This follows a damning report issued by the House Ethics Committee, which unearthed substantial evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the New York Republican legislator.

In a spirited address delivered on Friday, marked by provocations and disparaging remarks directed at his fellow congressional members, Santos defiantly asserted that he had no intention of yielding his position. However, he did concede that his tenure as a Congressman appeared to be drawing to a close.

“I am fully aware that the expulsion resolution, when presented on the floor, will likely result in my expulsion,” he asserted during a discussion on X Spaces on Friday night. “I have scrutinized the situation extensively, and the outlook is far from favorable.”

These remarks transpired a week after Michael Guest, the Republican chairman of the House Ethics Committee, introduced a resolution for Santos’s expulsion, scheduled to be addressed once Congress reconvenes following the Thanksgiving recess.

Although Santos has survived two previous expulsion votes, a significant number of his colleagues, who had previously opposed his removal, have now thrown their support behind it. They cite the extensive findings of the committee’s months-long investigation, which delved into a broad spectrum of alleged misconduct attributed to Santos.

The investigation revealed that Santos had utilized campaign funds for personal expenditures, including purchases from high-end retailers and adult entertainment websites, and subsequently caused the campaign to submit inaccurate or incomplete financial reports.

“In his pursuit of personal financial gain, Representative Santos attempted to deceitfully exploit every facet of his candidacy for the House,” the investigators noted. They further pointed out his lack of cooperation with the inquiry, repeatedly sidestepping straightforward requests for information.

On Friday, Santos chose not to address the specifics of the report, which he labeled as “defamatory” and “crafted to force me out of my position.” He expressed concern that any defense he mounted regarding his actions could potentially be used against him in the ongoing criminal case brought against him by federal prosecutors.

Instead, Santos adopted a contemplative tone during his three-hour livestream, tracing his trajectory from being the Republican party’s rising star to, in his words, “the Mary Magdalene of the United States Congress.” He also launched verbal salvos at his congressional peers, accusing them of engaging in misconduct, including voting while under the influence, which he contended was far more egregious than anything he had allegedly done.

“They all behave as if they reside in ivory towers, donning white pointy hats, and consider themselves untouchable,” he asserted. “Within the ranks of the United States Congress, there are individuals with felony convictions and questionable backgrounds aplenty.”

Santos clarified that his decision not to seek re-election stemmed not from external pressure but rather from his exasperation with what he perceived as the “outright arrogance” of his fellow legislators.

“These individuals need to comprehend that actions occur when I deem them fit, not when they wish them to,” he concluded. “That’s the crux of the matter.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Congressional Expulsion

More about Congressional Expulsion

• House Ethics Committee Report
• Rep. George Santos’ Congressional Record
• Federal Prosecutors’ Case Against Rep. Santos