Photo: Alamy
Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos was released from federal prison on Friday after President Donald Trump commuted his seven-year sentence. Santos is now expressing gratitude to President Trump, speaking about a renewed Christian faith and outlining his plans for the future.
“I have a lot to prove to a lot of people, and I have to make sure President Trump understands that I am not going to disappoint him,” Santos said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” calling his release a “second chance.”
Santos, who was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and incarcerated in New Jersey, said he spent 41 days in solitary confinement. He claimed he was denied access to both a Bible and a rosary, but said he reconnected with God through prayer.
The former congressman was expelled from the House in 2023 after multiple investigations found he had fabricated major parts of his biography and engaged in criminal conduct.
Trump announced the commutation on Friday on Truth Social, saying he believed the prison term was excessive.
“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” Trump wrote. He added that Santos “has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY.”
Santos said he had a powerful spiritual experience just one day before learning of his release. He said a visiting Catholic priest held Mass each Thursday at the prison, and after he began attending services, he was placed in solitary confinement.
“Starting the moment I got into prison, I discovered there’s this visiting priest who comes, a Catholic priest, who comes in every Thursday,” Santos said. He added that during his time alone, “I connected with God, I reconnected myself, I started praying in such a profound way.”
He said after being released from solitary confinement, he immediately went to Mass, attended confession and received the Eucharist. The following day, he said, officials informed him he was being freed.
“100% the day before,” he said. “Plenty of witnesses who were at that Mass with me.”
Santos said he sees his early release as a sign from God and intends to use his “second chance” to pursue criminal justice reform.
