Donald Trump has commuted the jail sentence of former Congressman George Santos, who had been serving seven years for federal fraud costs. The choice, revealed Friday on Trump’s social media platform Reality Social, instantly set off a political firestorm.

“George Santos was considerably of a ‘rogue,’ however there are a lot of rogues all through our Nation that aren’t compelled to serve seven years in jail,” Trump wrote.

Trump additionally described what he known as unfair remedy throughout Santos’ incarceration. “George has been in solitary confinement for lengthy stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Due to this fact, I simply signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from jail, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have an important life,” Trump added.

Santos was being held on the Federal Correctional Establishment in Fairton, New Jersey. The announcement comes lower than a 12 months after his conviction for a number of fraud-related offenses that led to his expulsion from Congress.

The surprising commutation has already sparked combined reactions throughout political strains, with critics questioning the message it sends about accountability and justice.


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