George Santos refuses to step down after New York Republicans call for ‘immediate resignation’
Juliegrace Brufke
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Embattled freshman GOP Rep. George Santos (NY) told reporters he will not step down after the Nassau County Republican Committee and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) called for his resignation on Wednesday.
“I will not,” he said when asked if we would relinquish his seat.
Santos has come under fire after admitting he fabricated large portions of his background, including his education, finances, and work history, following a New York Times report exposing the lies. He has also been accused of committing check fraud in Brazil.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Nassau County GOP chairman Joseph Cairo said Santos has “disgraced the House of Representatives” and “has no place in the Nassau County Republican Committee, nor should he serve in public service or as an elected official.”
D’Esposito argued that he has betrayed the trust of his constituents and needs to step down.
“Throughout my time as both an NYPD Detective and elected official, I have maintained that trust is the hallmark of good public service. When public servants deceive and mislead those they are tasked with serving, they are no longer fit to work for the people,” he said in a statement.
“It has become clear that congressman George Santos’s many hurtful lies and mistruths surrounding his history have irreparably broken the trust of the residents he is sworn to serve,” he added. “For his betrayal of the public’s trust, I call on congressman George Santos to resign.”
House GOP leadership has largely remained mum on whether they think he should remain in Congress, with an increasing number of members raising concerns over his access to sensitive information.
Santos flipped the seat formerly held by Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY).