Republican Leaders Stand Behind Santos After His Indictment
In a defiant show of solidarity, top Republican leaders gathered in Washington on Wednesday to offer their unwavering support to Representative George Santos of Texas, who was indicted earlier this week on federal corruption charges.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana all praised Mr. Santos as a “true patriot” and a “champion of conservative values,” and dismissed the charges against him as “political persecution” by the Biden administration.
“George Santos is one of the most dedicated and hardworking members of Congress, and we stand behind him one hundred percent,” Mr. McCarthy said at a press conference. “The allegations against him are baseless, and we have no doubt that he will be exonerated.”
Mr. Santos, a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump, was arrested on Monday on charges of bribery, fraud, and conspiracy. According to the indictment, he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a local businessman in exchange for using his influence to secure government contracts and other favors.
If convicted, Mr. Santos could face up to 20 years in prison.
But the Republican leaders on Wednesday stood by him, casting the case as the latest example of the Democrats’ “witch hunt” against their party.
“George Santos is being targeted because he is a conservative who dares to stand up to the liberal establishment,” Mr. McConnell said. “This is a shameful attempt to silence him and his supporters, and we will not let that happen.”
The leaders also rejected calls for Mr. Santos to step down from his committee assignments or resign from Congress, saying that he deserved his “day in court” and that the charges against him should not be used as a “political weapon.”
“We need George Santos in Congress now more than ever,” Mr. Scalise said. “He is a tireless advocate for our principles, and we will not let the Democrats silence him or us.”
The show of support for Mr. Santos highlights the growing divide between the two major parties in Congress, which have been at odds over a range of issues, from voting rights to infrastructure spending.
Democrats have called on Republicans to hold their members accountable for any wrongdoing, and have criticized Mr. McCarthy for failing to take action against Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, who have both faced ethics investigations in recent months.
But Republicans have accused Democrats of weaponizing the justice system for political gain, and have vowed to fight back against what they see as an attack on their party and its values.
For Mr. Santos, the coming weeks and months are likely to be a grueling test of his resolve and his support. But with the backing of the party hierarchy, he appears determined to fight on.
“I will not be intimidated by these baseless charges,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. “I have faith in the justice system and in the American people, and I look forward to vindicating myself in court.”