Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has been officially released from prison following President Donald Trump’s decision to commute his sentence.
The former congressman is now expressing deep gratitude toward the president, his renewed faith, and his plans for the future.
Santos, who had been serving a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in New Jersey, told “Fox & Friends Weekend” that his release represents a new beginning.
“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, calling his release a “second chance.”
Trump Calls Sentence “Too Long”
President Trump announced the commutation on Friday, ordering Santos’ immediate release from federal custody.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he believed the sentence was excessive and that Santos had been “horribly mistreated.”
“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.
“George 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.”
Yesterday, I was given something I never thought I’d have again: a true second chance at life. A chance to grow, to change, and to walk a better path.
First and foremost, I want to thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for never abandoning me. I’m far from perfect. I’ve made…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) October 18, 2025
Santos Says Faith Sustained Him Behind Bars
During his time in prison, Santos said he spent 41 days in solitary confinement, claiming he was denied a Bible and a rosary.
Despite that, he said he reconnected with God through prayer and the guidance of a visiting Catholic priest.
“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 began attending Mass but was later placed in solitary confinement.
“I connected with God, I reconnected myself, I started praying in such a profound way,” he said.
Santos described his release as divinely timed.
“100% the day before,” he said, noting that he went to Mass, attended confession, and took the Eucharist the day before being told he would be released.
“Plenty of witnesses who were at that Mass with me.”
Plans for Prison Reform
Santos said that after speaking with President Trump, he intends to use his second chance to focus on criminal justice reform.
“When I spoke to President Trump yesterday, I told him my commitment would be to prison reform,” he said.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress in 2023 after admitting to fabricating parts of his resume, said his time in prison reshaped his perspective and strengthened his faith.
“I connected with God,” he said, reflecting on his time in confinement.
“I reconnected myself, I started praying in such a profound way.”
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