Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) responded to Rep. George Santos‘ (R-N.Y.) thank-you note with sharp criticism amid the Republican Congressman’s legal troubles.
What Happened: Santos sent Raskin a letter of gratitude following the Democratic Congressman’s vote against Santos’ expulsion from the House, The Hill reported.
"Gratitude to you for standing up for the principals of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty," Santos wrote, who faces numerous criminal charges, including fraud and money laundering.
"I want to sincerely emphasize that I know that your vote was not done for me, but for the sanctity of this institution and the possibility of setting a very dangerous precedent. For that, I thank you," he added.
In his response, Raskin corrected a series of grammatical errors in Santos’ letter, adding a critical note.
"I appreciate your note and only wish someone had proofread it first," he wrote.
"Meantime, you should apologize to the people of New York for all of your lies and deceit. I know you must have thought you could get away with it all in the party of Trump, but the truth is resilient."
“P.S. It's not shameful to resign," Raskin wrote, dismissing Santos’ gratitude.
Why It Matters: Raskin had voted against expelling Santos to avoid setting a precedent of expelling lawmakers before their court trial. Santos’ trial is set to commence in September 2024. He faces a total of 23 federal charges.
Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee is also investigating him, with a decision on its next steps due by Nov. 17.
Santos has declared his intention to run for re-election in 2024 despite his legal issues and potential expulsion. He maintains his innocence, asserting that he was elected to fight corruption, lower inflation, create jobs, and improve affordability.
Photo by Phil Pasquini on Shutterstock
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