- The Nassau County Republican Party has called on George Santos to resign on Wednesday.
- The new congressman has lied about his resume and faces numerous investigations and ethics probes.
The Nassau County Republican Party called on Rep. George Santos of New York to resign on Wednesday amid revelations that he fabricated much of his background and a series of investigations.
Almost immediately, Santos rejected those calls, telling reporters outside his office on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that he would not resign.
—Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) January 11, 2023
He later confirmed that he would not resign via Twitter, saying he was "elected to serve the people" of his district and "not the party and politicians."
—George Santos (@Santos4Congress) January 11, 2023
"We will not be working with our congressman when it comes to addressing issues," said GOP county executive Bruce Blakeman. He also called Santos a "stain on the House of Representatives."
Joining the local officials, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito — a fellow Republican representing a Long Island district — became the first Republican member of Congress to call for Santos's resignation.
"George Santos does not have the ability to serve here in the House of Representatives and should resign," he said during a press conference.
Blakeman, the county executive, said that with D'Esposito's permission, he was going to route all federal constituent calls to his office rather than send any to Santos.
—Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (@RepDesposito) January 11, 2023
Following the Nassau County GOP's announcement, the New York State Conservative Party chairman sent out a press release echoing the calls for Santos to resign.
"Mr. Santos's profound use of mistruths as a candidate morally disqualifies him from serving in public office and exposes him to potential legal action, seriously compromising his ability to represent his constituents," said New York GOP chair, Gerard Kassar.
A fictitious background
Since getting elected in November, Santos has come under fire after a series of media outlets revealed that he lied about several elements of his resume.
He lied about working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, but neither business said he worked there.
He said he was a "proud American Jew" and that his grandparents survived the Holocaust — both ended up being lies. Santos, who is Catholic, ultimately acquiesced and said that he was actually "Jew-ish."
Santos also said he went to Baruch College and New York University, though neither school had records of a student with his name.
Joseph Cairo, Nassau County's GOP chair, added to the list of Santos' lies on Wednesday. He said that in his vetting interview with Santos before the election, Santos told him he was a "star on the Baruch volleyball team and that they won the league championship."
Santos previously apologized for his lies, calling them "embellishments," but has refused to step down.
"If I disappointed anyone by my résumé embellishment, I'm sorry," Santos told WABC radio.