# Representative George Santos: Indictment and Prosecution (Expelled from Congress on Dec 1, 2023) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 10, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850 "2023-05-10T14:28:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/361 "2023-11-18T15:47:25Z")
Even more than the branch-to-branch issue, choosing to require a criminal conviction amounts to saying that any and all behavior that doesn’t result in conviction is by definition 100% acceptable conduct. “Ethics” in any environment is all about having standards that are higher than “Almost, but not _quite_, a convicted felon.” ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/362 "2023-11-18T16:38:06Z")
Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/363 "2023-11-18T17:58:52Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Even more than the branch-to-branch issue, choosing to require a criminal conviction amounts to saying that any and all behavior that doesn’t result in conviction is by definition 100% acceptable conduct. Well put. I would think it sufficient protection to require that a motion to expel originate within the critter’s own party. To avoid vindictive motions coming from an opposing party that is in the majority. Of course, I doubt either party has ever had a 2/3 majority, so even that is likely not needed. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/364 "2023-11-18T18:02:35Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > . I would think it sufficient protection to require that a motion to expel originate within the critter’s own party. “I have sadly realized that the Republican leadership is thoroughly corrupt, and as a result, I am leaving the Republican party and will register as an Independent.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/365 "2023-11-18T18:11:36Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Of course, I doubt either party has ever had a 2/3 majority, If the evil Project 2025 comes to pass, the Rs will have in excess of a 2/3rds majority forever after. Or at least until we get a completely new government after something approaching a revolution. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/366 "2023-11-18T19:46:17Z")
5 bucks says Santos’ next press conference comes from a nice hotel room in Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/367 "2023-11-18T19:53:21Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Even more than the branch-to-branch issue, choosing to require a criminal conviction amounts to saying that any and all behavior that doesn’t result in conviction is by definition 100% acceptable conduct…. Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Conduct may be unacceptable, even highly unacceptable, but still not be so bad as to warrant expulsion from the House. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/368 "2023-11-18T19:54:49Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > 5 bucks says Santos’ next press conference comes from a nice hotel room in Brazil. The Four Seasons? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/369 "2023-11-18T19:56:26Z")
Which then would make it a breeze to get the votes needed so that he can be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/370 "2023-11-18T20:20:41Z")
As an aside, under New York law, Governor Hochul must call a special election within 10 days of being notified of a vacancy in a House seat. That election must happen between 70 and 80 days from that announcement. Assuming that Santos is expurgated when the House reconvenes on November 29, we’d be looking at a mid-to-late February special election for the seat. Which means the seat would be vacant during the timeframe in which Congress must pass the budget or another continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2023, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/371 "2023-11-19T09:34:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Conduct may be unacceptable, even highly unacceptable, but still not be so bad as to warrant expulsion from the House. The compromise we ended up with is that, if the relevant House of Commons committee recommends, and the House approves, a suspension of more than a set period, a recall petition must be set up for the offender’s constituents to sign, and if enough of them do, then the offender has to stand for re-election (or take the hint). That’s caused a couple of this year’s bye-elections. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/372 "2023-11-25T19:32:46Z")
[https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4326592-santos-says-expects-expulsion-from-house/](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4326592-santos-says-expects-expulsion-from-house/) A few salient quotes: > “I know I’m going to get expelled when this expulsion resolution goes to the floor,” [Santos said](https://x.com/monicaonairtalk/status/1728215919443493227?s=20) Yep, i think you’re right. > “I’m not running for reelection, not because this was a damning report,” Santos said. “I’m not running for reelection because I don’t want to work with a bunch of hypocrites.” Can’t both things be true? > Santos accused other members of Congress of being “more worried about getting drunk every night with the next lobbyist that they’re going to screw and pretend like none of us know what’s going on.” Haven’t we heard something like this before from another disgraced congressman? He said orgies and coke, but similar sentiment. > “I’m not leaving,” Santos emphasized. “These people need to understand, it’s done when I say it’s done.” Haven’t we hate something like _this_ before, too? ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/373 "2023-11-25T19:57:21Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Haven’t we heard something like this before from another disgraced congressman? He said orgies and coke, but similar sentiment. Yes, Madison Cawthorn made those allegations before he was successfully primaried. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/374 "2023-11-25T20:04:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Interesting fact… A Republican has never been expelled from Congress. They tend to resign. According to Wikipedia, of the 7 Reps & Senators that were facing a serious threat of expulsion and chose to resign 5 were Republicans and 2 were Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/375 "2023-11-25T20:06:59Z")
And one President who was also a Rebublican. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/376 "2023-11-25T20:33:18Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > > Santos accused other members of Congress of being “more worried about getting drunk every night with the next lobbyist that they’re going to screw and pretend like none of us know what’s going on.” > > Haven’t we heard something like this before from another disgraced congressman? He said orgies and coke, but similar sentiment. And those poopie-head meanies won’t share. So I’m, I’m … I don’t know. Going home or something. That’ll show 'em! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/377 "2023-11-26T01:01:12Z")
And a vice-president, who was also a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/378 "2023-11-26T05:34:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Santos accused other members of Congress of being “more worried about getting drunk every night with the next lobbyist that they’re going to screw and pretend like none of us know what’s going on.” If Santos makes this allegation again, I hope someone asks him why he waited until he was on his way out to mention it. I mean, if this is some kind of stand on principle he’d have brought it to light as soon as he learned about it, wouldn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/379 "2023-11-26T05:37:13Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I mean, if this is some kind of stand on principle he’d have brought it to light as soon as he learned about it, wouldn’t he? Yes, it’s obvious that he’s just upset about it now that he’s not going to be part of it. That doesn’t make it less true. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/380 "2023-11-26T05:48:47Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > Yes, it’s obvious that he’s just upset about it now that he’s not going to be part of it. That doesn’t make it less true. If Santos said it, that actually might make it less true. If George Santos says that members of Congress are having drug-fueled orgies, that makes me think they were probably at choir practice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850.md?page=20)