George Santos Gets Ready for His Expulsion by Creating One Last Disturbance | Vanity Fair

The author Caleb Ecarma reports that Republican representative George Santos may be departing Congress, but he proposes to create a scene before his exit. Last Thursday, Santos, who represents Long Island, proposed a privileged resolution to remove Democrat Jamaal Bowman of New York from office. Santos claimed that if he is to exit, so should Bowman, who had recently admitted guilt to a misdemeanor for false activation of a fire alarm shortly prior to a vote on a funding bill.

Mr. Santos has previously avoided two expulsion procedures, but a recent ethics inquiry seems to have changed his outlook. This investigation revealed he used campaign donations for personal expenditures such as OnlyFans subscriptions, lavish shopping expeditions, a Hamptons vacation, and a honeymoon in Las Vegas. Santos has attempted to undermine the investigation, labeling it as "slanderous" and full of "hyperbole". Alongside his alleged misuse of campaign funds, he also faces 23 federal criminal charges on grounds including wire fraud, theft of public funds, and money laundering. To all these charges, he has pleaded not guilty.

Despite the circumstances, Santos chose to challenge the allegations in a morning news briefing outside the Capitol building. His viewpoint, "If I leave, they win...This is bullying." He also brought up the fact that if he was expelled, it would only be the sixth time in the 234-year history of the House that a member was removed, and the first time one was removed without a criminal conviction or treason charge. He argued that his expulsion could set a risky standard and could unsettle many members. According to his warning, any mere allegations in the future could lead to the removal of members from office.

As predicted by Axios, more than 90 Republicans are projected to vote for Santos's expulsion. However, a few in the party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, are pushing back against calls for Santos's expulsion, expressing worries about due process and the lack of a criminal conviction. Johnson noted that he has "real reservations" about the precedent expulsion could set. The Speaker is also dealing with a slim majority in the House, and dismissing Santos could present opportunities for Republican independents and Democrats.

The expulsion vote for Santos is expected to take place on Friday. The 35-year-old representative has admitted that he will not seek reelection, potentially making way for Democrat Anna Kaplan, a former New York state senator, to seize his seat. She has voiced her readiness, stating, "If George Santos is expelled tomorrow, the special election will be right around the corner…We've already raised over $1 million."

Jamaal Bowman has dismissed Santos's resolution. He stated, "No one in Congress, or anywhere in America, takes soon-to-be former Congressman George Santos seriously…This is just another meaningless stunt in his long history of cons, antics, and outright fraud." Bowman was fined $1,000 for activating the fire alarm unnecessarily and ordered to formally apologize to the Capitol Police.