Kevin McCarthy says George Santos 'shouldn't run for re-election'

• Kevin McCarthy said on Monday that Rep. George Santos "shouldn't run" for re-election.
• But he expressed confidence that Republicans would hold onto Santos' seat, which leans Democratic.

Asked on Fox News on Monday if he's supporting the re-election campaign of Rep. George Santos, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy let out a hearty laugh.

"No, I am not," said McCarthy. "He shouldn't run for re-election."

Pressed on whether he's been involved with recruiting another Republican candidate, McCarthy demurred, saying only that his party would "keep that seat with another Republican."

McCarthy has already said he does not support Santos's re-election campaign. But his declaration on Monday that Santos shouldn't run at all went one step further.

Santos, who faces a 13-count indictment in federal court in New York for a litany of criminal charges including fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds, has nonetheless vowed to seek re-election.

McCarthy has said that he will not urge Santos to resign unless he is convicted, a standard he's mantained for other members of his conference who've faced criminal charges. But he has blocked Santos from serving on House committees, owing to long-standing questions about the congressman's ethics and his history of lying about his past.

Citing the campaign-related nature of McCarthy's comments, a spokeswoman for Santos declined to comment on the matter.

But after the initial publication of this article, Santos weighed in on Twitter, saying McCarthy's comments "do not change" plans to run for re-election.