Former US congressman George Santos has been released from prison after President Donald Trump commuted his seven-year sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos, who pleaded guilty last year, had served less than three months of his term before the commutation was announced on Friday.
In his first interview since his release, Santos told CNN's State of the Union that the original sentence was 'disproportionate' and that he had been served 'a very large slice of humble pie'. He also called for his former campaign staffer, Sam Miele, to receive a similar commutation.
Santos admitted he was surprised by Trump's decision, learning about it from other inmates who saw the news on television. He dismissed criticism that he received favourable treatment as a loyal ally, pointing to President Joe Biden's pardons of family members as a precedent.
Under his plea deal, Santos had agreed to pay nearly $375,000 in restitution and $205,000 in forfeiture. When asked if he would pay, he said he would do so only if 'required of me by the law'. In a separate interview on Fox News, he claimed he no longer had to pay restitution.
Trump has issued several pardons and commutations in his second term, including for about 1,500 people involved in the January 6 attack and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
