New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Urges George Santos to ‘Stop the Embarrassment’ and Resign: ‘Just Go Away’
"This MAGA clown car has to come to a screeching halt instead of shifting into high gear," Hochul said, adding that she'd be happy to call a special election in his district if he resigns or gets expelled
Leigh Vogel/Getty, Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty
Kathy Hochul, George SantosNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul says Rep. George Santos "has to go away" following the release of a long-awaited report by the House Ethics Committee that claimed to have found "substantial evidence" of wrongdoing by the freshman congressman, who represents parts of Long Island and Queens.
"This MAGA clown car has to come to a screeching halt instead of shifting into high gear," Hochul, 65, told CNN's Brianna Keilar in a Thursday night interview.
Hochul continued: "I am very happy to have him resign. Stop the embarrassment that has befallen the people in his district in the state of New York. Just go away."
If 35-year-old Santos were to resign or be expelled, Hochul said she would call for a special election to be held within 70-80 days of the official vacancy.
Leigh Vogel/Getty, Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty
Santos — who was mired in controversy even before his January swearing-in — entered the national spotlight on a rocky note, as story after story cropped up about him lying about his past, allegations of running fraudulent schemes accumulated, and a prospective staffer accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty
New York Rep. George Santos speaks to reporters after initial calls to expel him in May were forwarded to the House Ethics CommitteeThe Republican was hit with a 23-count federal indictment this year that tells a similar narrative, featuring a variety of theft and fraud charges involving his congressional campaign. (Santos pleaded not guilty to each of the criminal charges and has not yet gone to trial.)
Related: George Santos Faces Another Expulsion Measure Led by the Republican House Ethics Chair
House Ethics revealed on Thursday morning that the subcommittee investigating Santos "unanimously concluded that there was substantial evidence" that he "knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; engaged in fraudulent conduct ... and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to his Financial Disclosure (FD) Statements filed with the House."
The committee further claimed that Santos allegedly misused campaign funds for his own personal purposes by purchasing things like Botox injections, OnlyFans subscriptions and items from luxury retailers such as Sephora and Hermès.
Related: From Botox to OnlyFans: A Few of the Things George Santos Allegedly Paid for with Campaign Funds
Santos announced Thursday that he would no longer seek reelection in 2024, following the release of the committee's report, though he has yet to announce any plans to step down.
As Hochul told CNN, however, "The jig is up. It's time to move on. And if he gets expelled from Congress, he won't have any choice ... he must move on."
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While an earlier effort (led by New York Republicans) to expel Santos from Congress failed in the House on Nov. 1, another expulsion resolution was introduced on Friday by Republican Michael Guest, chairman of the House Ethics Committee.
In light of the latest ethics report, some who previously voted against expelling Santos have suggested that they will consider supporting his expulsion this time around.
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