Trump Commutes Sentence of Ex-congressman George Santos Amid Controversy | AI News Digest
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, President Donald Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Republican Congressman George Santos on Friday. Santos, who had been serving a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, had spent less than three months behind bars when Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social platform. The president asserted that Santos faced mistreatment during his time in solitary confinement. This action has faced fierce backlash from Democratic lawmakers, who contend that it reflects a troubling trend of favoritism toward Republican allies and undermines the integrity of the justice system. Santos, expelled from Congress in December 2023 after pleading guilty to multiple charges, will also be relieved of a $370,000 restitution order. Detractors have condemned the commutation as a clear example of "naked corruption" within Trump's administration, raising alarm over the potential politicization of clemency powers.
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