On Friday evening, President Trump commuted the sentence of former Republican Representative George Santos, who had been sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos was previously expelled from the House of Representatives over ethical concerns. On Saturday, he released a video statement on X thanking Trump, expressing gratitude for what he called a “true second chance at life.”

In his statement, Santos acknowledged his mistakes, stating, “I’m far from perfect. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve stumbled,” but emphasized his faith in God and appreciation for Trump’s “mercy, redemption, and the promise of a second chance.” He credited the president with reigniting his belief in renewal and vowed to focus on prison reform and accountability, criticizing the treatment he received during incarceration. Santos also claimed he would work to “build bridges instead of walls” and create a justice system prioritizing rehabilitation.

The commutation followed Trump’s public criticism of what he described as excessive sentencing for Santos compared to other figures, including Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, whom Trump accused of fabricating military service records. Santos was informed of his release by fellow inmates, according to reports. The former congressman concluded his statement with a commitment to “turn my past into something meaningful” and “work and do good.”