Overview

• Trump ordered Santos’s immediate release after roughly three months of an 87-month federal term for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
• The commutation leaves his convictions intact and, per court records, a $570,000 restitution order and other penalties remain.
• On ABC, Speaker Mike Johnson defended the clemency as a constitutional power and a belief in redemption after being pressed about Trump praising Santos for “always” voting Republican.
• Santos said he is very grateful for the clemency and voiced interest in working on prison reform following his release.
• Legal analysts say New York’s 2019 law permits state charges despite federal clemency, and Nassau County’s district attorney could revisit earlier inquiries into Santos.