Ex-Rep. George Santos, released from federal custody after his sentence was commuted, is seeking space and privacy as he transitions back into civilian life. His attorney described Santos as “decompressing” following what he termed a “traumatic experience” during his incarceration, citing extended solitary confinement and restricted access to vital medications.
Santos was released late Friday night after serving just 84 days of an 87-month sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The commutation was granted by President Trump on Oct. 17, 2025, just hours before Santos’s departure from a New Jersey federal facility. Santos’s attorney emphasized the family’s desire for privacy and asked media to respect his time to recover, locate stable housing, and explore next steps following a public fall from grace.
The move comes amid widespread scrutiny: Santos was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2023 after a congressional ethics report exposed long-running fabrications and misuse of campaign funds. While his convictions remain on record, the commutation ends his prison term. His legal team says he plans no public statements for the time being and will begin mapping out his return to private life.