House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) distanced himself from embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY) on Wednesday, indicating he would not support the New Yorker if he ran for reelection.
McCarthy stopped short of calling for Santos's resignation. The New York congressman was indicted on 13 charges that include wire fraud, money laundering, and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.
GEORGE SANTOS FUNDRAISES OFF CRIMINAL CHARGES
“No, I’m not gonna support Santos,” McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I think he has some other things to focus on in this life than running.”
Other conservative lawmakers have called for Santos's resignation, but McCarthy maintained that he would wait for a trial before forcing him to exit. Santos also reaffirmed that he was still running for reelection during a news conference on Wednesday.
Santos's indictment included 13 counts of financial crimes: seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Justice Department alleged in the indictment that Santos "defrauded prospective political supporters" by moving campaign funds into his personal bank account and using the funds for personal purchases, including "designer clothing," among other uses.
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Santos also allegedly received $24,000 in unemployment funds from June 2020 to April 2021 despite "working and receiving a salary on a near-continuous basis" during that time, per the court filings. The department also alleges that Santos "overstated his income and assets" during his 2020 and 2022 congressional campaigns.
Santos is expected to travel back to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to vote on a border bill on Thursday. Santos posted bail on Wednesday, which was set at $500,000.