Betrayals happen everywhere in the world of politics. But this outcome was something nobody expected.
And a GOP congressman ditches the Republican Party in a surprising turn of events.
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) made an announcement last Friday that he is planning to leave the Republican Party.
Santos, who was removed from Congress last year for a multitude of ethics violations, is looking to get back into politics.
But he won’t be doing it with the GOP.
He states that House Republicans’ passing of a $1.2 trillion spending deal is the reason he’s removing himself from the Party.
“After today’s embarrassing showing in the house, I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party … The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base,” Santos said in a post to X.
“I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything.”
Santos was originally slated to run as a Republican in the 1st Congressional District of New York. But now he’s “officially suspending” that plan and will run as an independent.
“I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent. [Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY)] and [John Avlon] I’ll see you boys in November!,” Santos continued in his X post.
🚨Announcement🚨
After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party…
The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22, 2024
The former GOP Rep. is currently facing a federal indictment of up to 23 counts, of which alleges that he used money from his previous campaign for Congress for various personal things. He’s also been accused of lying about his finances.
This lengthy indictment was a main contributor to his ousting from the U.S. House last year.
And it’s also why some Republicans are happy that he’s leaving the Party.
“We don’t want him and I’m sure they don’t either,” a Republican from New York told the Washington Examiner.
Santos’s decision to leave the GOP comes at a time when Republican infighting in the House is rampant, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) planning to make moves to try and oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from his post.
There’s also a razor-thin majority in the lower chamber of Congress for the GOP.
And with multiple members of the Party retiring or switching parties this year, they can’t afford to lose any more seats, especially during a crucial election season.
That’s why it’s key that Republicans fix their internal issues before the elections in November, or else the country could be faced with a Democrat-controlled Congress and White House.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
