Disgraced Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is expected to soon face a House Ethics Committee investigation that could lead to the end of his controversial career in Congress.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed to CNN on Tuesday that Santos is currently the “subject of Ethics Committee complaints.” An investigation by the panel could lead to Santos being expelled from Congress if evidence of serious malfeasance is found.
“There are questions. I expect them to get answered,” he told the outlet in response to being asked if he expects an investigation to take place.
Last week, Santos recused himself from his two committee assignments in the wake of multiple allegations against him, including being accused of lying about being Jewish and then about being of Jewish descent, joking about killing Jews and praising Hitler in a newly unearthed, years-old Facebook post, questions about his work experience and financial dealings, and a probe into fundraising by a pet charity he previously ran under an alias.
McCarthy, unlike some Republicans, has not called for Santos’s resignation, but instead has been consistent in his saying that should be left up to voters.
But he has hinted that an investigation by the committee could change his mind on the matter.
“Ethics is moving through, and if ethics finds something, we’ll take action,” McCarthy said. “Right now, we’re not allowing him to be on committees from the standpoint of the questions that have arisen.”
On Tuesday, Santos told CNN that a potential investigation wasn’t on his mind. He also became agitated when asked about constituents calling for him to step down.
“You’re saying that the freedom of speech of my constituents is a distraction to my work?” Santos said. “Do you think people are a distraction to the work I’m doing here?”