Newly sworn-in Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is facing calls to immediately resign from Congress from his own party.
During a press conference Wednesday, Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Cairo said, “George Santos’ campaign last year was a campaign of deceit, lies, and fabrication.”
“He deceived the voters of the 3rd Congressional District. He deceived the members of the Nassau County Republican Committee, elected officials, his colleagues, candidates, his opponents, and even some in the media,” he continued.
Cairo argued Santos’ lies “were not mere fibs.”
“He disgraced the House of Representatives,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Nassau County GOP calls for George Santos to resign. pic.twitter.com/NiD5FPZ4eq
— The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) January 11, 2023
Finally, Cairo said, “[Santos] has no place in the Nassau County Republican Committee. Nor should he serve in public service nor as an elected official. He is not welcome here at Republican headquarters for meetings or at any of our events.”
“As I said, he has disgraced the House of Representatives, and we do not consider him one of our congresspeople. Today, on behalf of the Nassau County Republican Committee, I am calling for his immediate resignation,” he added.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) also released a statement calling for Santos’ resignation.
“When public servants deceive and mislead those they are tasked with serving, they are no longer fit to work for the people,” the statement read. “It has become clear that Congressman George Santos’ many hurtful lies and mistruths surrounding his history have irreparably broken the trust of the residents he is sworn to serve.”
It added, “For his betrayal of the public’s trust, I call on Congressman George Santos to resign.”
My statement on George Santos. pic.twitter.com/NrrpFnwctq
— Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (@RepDesposito) January 11, 2023
Santos became the first openly gay Republican to win a House seat as a non-incumbent when he flipped a district held by Democrats in the November election.
He sold himself as a successful son of Brazilian immigrants who went to a public college in New York City and became a “seasoned Wall Street financier and investor.”
However, a review of his background by The New York Times failed to find evidence to back up his story.
He later admitted to The New York Post he “embellished” his resume. He signaled he did not plan to resign.
Cairo’s call for Santos’ resignation comes after he was sworn in and cast his vote for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
McCarthy told reporters Wednesday he does not believe the New York lawmaker should serve on top committees.
When asked if he would step down following Cairo’s press conference, Santos said, “I will not.”
Rep. George Santos told reporters he will not resign just moments after the Nassau County GOP called for his resignation.
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) January 11, 2023
"I will not," he said when asked if he will step down.
He refused to answer additional questions as he went into an elevator.
Santos is facing local and federal investigations into his finances and whether his lies violated the law. He is also facing a fraud investigation in Brazil.
