Former President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has commuted the prison sentence of former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., in a move that immediately reignited debate across Washington and the country.
Santos, who pleaded guilty to multiple campaign finance violations and had been serving a seven-year sentence, will now be released early following Trump’s decision — a move the former president defended as “justice” for a political ally.
The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social account late Friday afternoon, where he described Santos as a “rogue” but said that his punishment was far too severe compared to what he called “far worse” misconduct by Democrats.
“George Santos was somewhat of a rogue,” Trump wrote. “But there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison.”
Trump then compared Santos’ crimes to those of Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, whom he has frequently criticized for past controversies. “This is far worse than what George Santos did,” Trump continued. “At least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
Santos, who represented parts of Long Island and Queens, became one of the most controversial figures in Congress before his resignation last year. His legal troubles and high-profile scandals made him a lightning rod in both parties, as critics accused him of lying about his background and misusing campaign funds. Trump’s move to commute his sentence, however, drew swift praise from his allies — and outrage from his opponents.
The decision immediately set off a political firestorm. Across the country, anti-Trump demonstrations erupted, with thousands participating in what organizers called “No Kings” rallies, a protest movement accusing Trump of acting like a monarch rather than a democratic leader. Organizers said more than 2,600 demonstrations were planned in cities and towns nationwide — a potential record turnout following similar protests earlier this summer.
Video footage showed massive crowds gathering in Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, carrying signs that read “No One Is Above The Law” and “Pardons Are Not Power.” The protests, though largely peaceful, underscored the sharp divisions that continue to define the nation’s political climate.
Despite the backlash, Trump appeared unfazed. At a campaign-style event later that evening, he dismissed the protests as “a gathering of Marxists, socialists, and anarchists” who, he said, were part of the “hate America” faction within the Democratic Party.
“They’re calling it the ‘No Kings Rally,’” Trump said. “We call it what it really is — the Hate America Rally. It’s the same radical left crowd that’s been tearing this country apart. But we’re not backing down.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., echoed Trump’s defense, saying the former president had “every right” to issue clemency as he saw fit. “This is exactly the kind of leadership America needs — fairness and accountability, not political persecution,” Johnson said. “President Trump is standing up for justice, while Democrats are playing political games.”
But critics, including some within the conservative legal community, blasted the commutation as a dangerous precedent. George Conway, a prominent conservative lawyer, called the decision “off the wall,” saying Santos showed “no remorse” and “no acceptance of responsibility.”
“Under any normal commutation system, this guy would not be eligible,” Conway said in an interview. “He committed flat-out fraud — there was no question about his guilt. And yet, because he stayed loyal to Trump, he gets rewarded.”
Democratic lawmakers quickly seized on the controversy, accusing Trump of using the power of clemency as a political weapon. “This is not about justice — this is about loyalty,” one House Democrat told reporters. “If you praise Trump, you get a pardon. If you oppose him, you get prosecuted.”
Still, within Trump’s orbit, the move was seen as a show of strength — a reminder of the former president’s continued dominance over the Republican base and his willingness to stand by allies who remained loyal to him.
For Trump, the message was clear. “We’re not just fighting corruption,” he said. “We’re fighting a system that treats conservatives like criminals and Democrats like royalty.”