Marjorie Taylor Greene Seeks Pardon For George Santos, Claims 7-Year Sentence Is 'Far Beyond What is Warranted'

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is pushing for a pardon for her disgraced former colleague George Santos, who days ago began serving a more than 7-year prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

In a letter to Pardon Attorney Edward Martin, Greene said that while she understands the gravity of Santos' crimes, the length of his sentence "for an individual with no prior criminal record extends far beyond what is warranted."

Greene went on to say that, despite the crimes, she can attest to Santos' "willingness and dedication to serve the people of New York who elected him to office" and that he is "sincerely remorseful and has accepted full responsibility for his actions."

She added that many other lawmakers "have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges."

"I strongly believe in accountability for one's actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system. Commuting his sentence would acknowledge the severity of his actions and simultaneously provide a path forward in allowing him to make amends for his crimes and strive to better serve the people in his community," she concluded.

Greene appears to be among Santos' few allies in Washington D.C. He had sought to get a pardon from President Donald Trump before reporting to prison, but said in May he had given up all hope.

"The so called "friends" I have that said they'd help legit should have just told me to go f--- myself, because that's what has essentially happened with their actions. I've accepted my fate and don't want to talk about it anymore," Santos said on social media back then.

The former lawmaker had appeared on on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" earlier that month, tearfully asking Trump to consider a pardon, commutation, or clemency ahead of his scheduled surrender to federal custody on July 25.

Santos, 36, said he was "not an altar boy," but also "not a hardened criminal," and argued that his punishment was disproportionate for a first-time offender. "I'll take a commutation, clemency, whatever the president is willing to give me," Santos said, while adding he was "not entertaining a pardon." He finally reported to prison on the mentioned date and is currently serving his sentence.

Santos, elected in 2022 as the first openly gay Republican nonincumbent in Congress, quickly fell from grace after reports revealed he fabricated much of his personal and professional background. In May 2023 he was indicted on 23 counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and other offenses related to misusing donor funds and falsely reporting campaign finances.

Santos pleaded for mercy before learning his fate, telling the court that he was "humbled" and "chastised." He added that he was aware he had betrayed his constituents' trust. "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead," he said.

The judge, however, wasn't convinced. "Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? said Judge Joanna Seybert. She added that Santos appeared to feel that "it's always someone else's fault."