As calls for the freshman New York lawmaker’s resignation continue to grow, the top House Republican said that he has “always” had some questions about Rep. George Santos’ resume, which is littered with falsehoods about his work experience, education history and other parts of his background.

What You Need To Know

  • Speaking to reporters on Monday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that he has “always” had some questions about New York GOP Rep. George Santos’ resume

  • Following Santos' victory in November to represent New York’s Third District, reports emerged about falsehoods on his resume, including about his work experience, education history and other parts of his background

  • While Santos has admitted to lying about many details of his background, he has thus far refused all calls to resign, including from fellow New York Republicans

  • Two New York Democrats, Reps. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, filed an ethics complaint against Santos, charging that he “misled voters in his District about his ethnicity, his religion, his education, and his employment and professional history, among other things"

“I never knew all about his resume or not,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters on Monday. “But I always had a few questions about it.”

McCarthy’s answer was in response was to a question from a CNN reporter asking about when he was made aware about the allegations surrounding Santos.

Santos, who was elected in November to represent New York’s Third District, is facing multiple investigations over his personal and campaign finances. Following his victory, reports began to emerge that Santos had lied in his campaign resume about working at two major banks and earning a degree from Baruch College. Other parts of his background have also been called into question, including misrepresenting his faith by claiming to be Jewish.

While Santos has admitted to lying about many details of his background, he has thus far refused all calls to resign, including from fellow New York Republicans.

McCarthy also addressed the report from The New York Times that a Santos aide was caught impersonating the California Republican’s chief of staff while seeking campaign donations.

“You know, I didn’t know about that — it happened, and, I know they corrected, but I was not notified about that until a later date,” McCarthy said Monday. 

McCarthy said he spoke to Santos about the incident in question, but added: “I didn't know about it until a later date, unfortunately.”

Calls have grown for Santos’ resignation on both sides of the aisle, with fellow New York Republican lawmakers questioning his ability to govern amid his falsehoods.

"I don't see how he can fulfill his responsibilities. I think that's pretty clear," Rep. Mark Molinaro, R-N.Y., told Spectrum News. "The level of dishonesty … it’s just so disturbing."

“It's clear that [Santos] cannot be an effective representative and it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to have new leadership,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy, who chairs the New York Republican Party.

Two New York Democrats, Reps. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, filed an ethics complaint against Santos, charging that he “misled voters in his District about his ethnicity, his religion, his education, and his employment and professional history, among other things.” Torres and Goldman are also calling on McCarthy and fellow New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair, to explain what they knew about Santos’ falsehoods.

“It is the responsibility of the Republican Party to make this right because they’re the ones who stuck us with George Santos,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told Spectrum News on Monday. 

“I do expect that these investigations hopefully will proceed expeditiously,” Jeffries added, referencing local, state and federal probes into Santos, as well as ethics complaints.

The California Republican previously largely avoided answering questions surrounding Santos, which emerged in December, until he ultimately won the speaker’s gavel earlier this month. Santos backed McCarthy for speaker on all 15 ballots.

McCarthy said last week that he would not allow the New York lawmaker to serve on any top committees, but did not call for his resignation.

When asked by ABC News if he would take action against Santos, McCarthy questioned if there was “a charge against him,” adding: “In America today, you're innocent until proven guilty.”

“The voters are the power,” McCarthy added. “The voters made a decision, and he has a right to serve. If there is something that rises to the occasion that he did something wrong, then we’ll deal with that at that time.”

McCarthy separately said that Santos “is going to have to build the trust here, and he’s going to have the opportunity to try to do that.”

Some lawmakers have expressed similar sentiments, including New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who acknowledged that while it was "going to be very difficult for [Santos] to do his job,” he is not facing any charges and “any resignation has to come from the ground.”

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a McCarthy critic, said that Santos should be able to “make his case.”

“George Santos will have to go through the congressional ethics process,” Gaetz told CNN on Sunday. “I don't want to prejudge that process, but I think he deserves the chance to at least make his case.”

“There are requirements members of Congress have to meet when it comes to the money that they donate to their own campaigns,” he added. “Until then, I don't think that George Santos should be subject to shunning, because the Americans he serves deserve representation – they have real challenges – and we ought to work together to solve their challenges and meet their needs.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.