WASHINGTON — Since the 118th Congress took office last week, there has been much fervor surrounding newly sworn in New York Republican Rep. George Santos, largely due to what he now admits were his own lies.
Shortly after Santos' election, The New York Times published revelations regarding either embellishments or outright falsehoods on his resume. These include, but are not limited to:
- Claiming he had graduated from Baruch College in New York (he now admits he never got a degree "from any institution of higher learning)
- Saying he worked for both Citigroup and Goldman Sachs (he now says he "never worked directly" for either firm)
- Stating that he was Jewish and that his maternal grandparents fled from the Holocaust in Europe (in reality, both his maternal grandparents were from Brazil, and Santos now says he was merely joking that he was "Jew-ish")
Several alleged financial crimes have also come to light both in the U.S. and internationally, and while Santos has apologized and says he intends to continue serving in the House of Representatives, calls have been growing from him to resign, including from New York's Nassau County Republican Party as well as several fellow GOP members of Congress. One of the members joining the latter chorus of detractors hails from Northeast Ohio, and like Santos was just sworn in a week ago.
On Thursday, Rep. Max Miller of Ohio's 7th Congressional District called on Santos to step down immediately, saying he does not think his colleague "can effectively serve." In particular, Miller, a Shaker Heights native who is himself Jewish, took issue with Santos' lies involving his family and the Holocaust.
"The people's representatives must respect the need for transparency and candor with Americans," Miller said in a statement. "It is not okay to fabricate or lie for political gain. That is especially true when the lie seeks benefit from the murder of millions of Jewish people."
Miller, a one-time aide to former President Donald Trump, has been no stranger to controversy himself: Not only was he subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee in connection with Trump's own falsehoods that the 2020 election was "rigged," but he has also been accused of physical abuse by ex-girlfriend and former and former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham. Miller has denied Grisham's allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against her in Cuyahoga County, which remains pending.
Despite this, Miller was elected to Congress in November to replace the outgoing Anthony Gonzalez, one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The newly redrawn 7th District is considered favorable for Republicans and includes all or parts of Cuyahoga, Holmes, Medina, and Wayne counties, although Miller's victory was closer than expected as he prevailed by 11 points over little-known Democratic podcaster Matthew Diemer.
For Santos' part, he has continued to remain steadfast that he will not resign, and appears to be supported in the short term by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. However, the GOP has thus far refused to seat him on any of the chamber's top committees, and an ethics investigation could be forthcoming.