The Longworth House office building in the U.S. Capitol witnessed a heated incident when Republican Representative George Santos from New York engaged in a profanity-laced confrontation with an anti-Israel protester. In the midst of ongoing controversies, Santos recently received the report from the House Ethics Committee regarding his conduct. House rules grant the subject of an investigation the right to review the report 24 hours before its public release. As a result, the report may become public as early as Thursday morning. Digital has reached out to Santos’ office for comment.
Earlier this month, Santos narrowly avoided expulsion from the House of Representatives. A group of his fellow New York Republicans had initiated an effort to remove him from office, but the final vote fell 213-179 against expulsion, with 19 lawmakers abstaining. Expelling a member of the House requires a two-thirds majority vote and is historically rare. While 24 Republicans voted in favor of expulsion, 31 Democrats voted to keep Santos in the House.
Following the vote, Santos addressed reporters, highlighting the number of Democrats who supported him and emphasizing his commitment to clearing his name and seeking due process. He stated, “There’s more Democrats in this body that believe in the rule of law than there are Republicans. That’s what you should know. I am fighting to clear my name. I am fighting for due process.”
Representatives Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler were the New York Republicans leading the expulsion effort against Santos. Santos condemned their actions on the House floor, accusing them of assuming the roles of “judge, jury, and executioner.” He criticized their disregard for the principles of the Republican system of government and the integrity of the House.
Santos, who faces a total of 23 charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, making false statements, falsification of records, aggravated identity theft, and credit card fraud, was the only member of Congress to speak in his defense during the debate preceding the resolution.
The investigation report’s release marks another chapter in the ongoing challenges faced by Santos. The political atmosphere remains tense as both Republicans and Democrats express differing views on his fate. The impact of this investigation extends beyond Santos himself, prompting discussions about the rule of law, due process, and the integrity of the House of Representatives.
