Rep. George Santos survives vote to expel him by New York Republicans in House of Representatives

Justice delayed is justice denied as they say.”

Diana Mueller, Concerned Citizens of NY-03

George Santos, the freshman Republican Congressman infamous for his lies about his background and the numerous legal charges against him, survived a vote of expulsion, brought by fellow New York Republicans, on Wednesday. Only 179 Democrats and Republicans voted to oust him from the House of Representatives, far short of the two-thirds majority — 290 — needed for the measure to pass.

Before the vote, Santos addressed the House and condemned the movement to expel him, saying that lawmakers needed to focus on important issues such as the cost of living and global crises, and that ousting him before he had been found guilty in a court of law went against the country’s legal values. Santos, who faces a 23-count indictment for wire fraud and other charges, claimed that the only people who could remove him from office were the residents of the 3rd Congressional District, which he represents.

“The loss of the presumption of innocence establishes a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of our legal system, and we risk losing the trust the American people have placed in us by passing judgment without due process,” Santos argued before the vote was held. “I stand firmly in my innocence and my passion to represent the people of New York’s 3rd District, if the voters would have me.”

The vote came on the heels of Santos’ appearance in U.S. District Court in Central Islip last Friday, when he pleaded not guilty to a superseding indictment detailing the 23 charges. Santos also told Judge Joanna Seybert that he would be retaining the services of attorney Joseph Murray, despite a potential conflict of interest involving a witness in the case identified only as “Person 1,” and Nancy Marks, Santos’ former campaign treasurer. Marks has already pleaded guilty to charges related to her management of Santos’ campaign finances.

Wearing bright red shoes and a smile, the congressman left the Central Islip court complex with an almost jaunty demeanor that seemed unusual for someone facing the possibility of spending over 20 years in federal prison. Even as he was booed and jeered by protesters from Concerned Citizens of NY-03, Santos blew kisses and waved to the crowd as he was driven away.

The charges in the superseding indictment, issued in early October, include wire fraud, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission and a variety of other crimes. Santos was initially indicted in May, and pleaded not guilty to 13 charges.

Seybert set a trial date of Sept. 9, 2024. Members of Concerned Citizens, a bipartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to seeing Santos removed from office, expressed surprise at his not guilty plea and concern that the trial date would allow him to remain in Congress for another year.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, as they say,” Diana Mueller, of Glen Head, an active member of the group, said. “It allows him to squat in his seat without coming to any kind of accountability. So far in his life, he’s skated by without becoming truly accountable for the crimes he’s committed.”

Before his court appearance, Santos took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to assert his belief in the importance of due process.

In the new indictment, federal prosecutors paint a picture of widespread fraud during Santos’ campaign for a congressional seat. The charges also include conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, identity theft and falsifying records to the FEC. Prosecutors allege that Santos submitted bogus campaign finance records, reported a fictitious $500,000 loan to his campaign, and charged his donors’ credit cards without their consent.

“We knew he was a liar, we know he was a criminal, but we didn’t really think he was that stupid,” Jody Kass Finkel, one of Concerned Citizens’ organizers, said of his plea. “So why didn’t he plead (guilty)? Probably because he likes playing congressman. He likes being in the room where it’s all happening.”

The future of Santos’ congressional tenure remains uncertain, as he faces the potential for another vote on expulsion from the House later this month.

Anthony D’Esposito, a fellow freshman New York Republican congressman, introduced the resolution to expel Santos last week, arguing that the charges against him render him unfit to serve. And even if Santos survives a second expulsion attempt, the question of whether he will be able to run for re-election as his trial begins next September remains unclear.

He is scheduled for a status conference on Dec. 12, at which the attorneys and the judge will discuss the progress of the case.