Rep. George Santos on Thursday fielded new calls for his resignation, but the Republican congressman from Long Island doubled down on his refusal to leave office.

More rank-and-file Republicans from New York — including newly elected Rep. Mike Lawler — joined the chorus calling for Santos' resignation on Thursday, while other New York lawmakers openly questioned how he could effectively serve.

In an interview with Spectrum News Thursday morning, Rep. Marc Molinaro, whose district includes parts of Ulster and Otsego counties, voiced doubts about Santos' ability to govern.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. George Santos on Thursday fielded new calls for his resignation, but the Republican congressman from Long Island doubled down on his refusal to leave office

  • More rank-and-file Republicans from New York joined the chorus calling for Santos' resignation, while other New York lawmakers openly questioned how he could effectively serve

  • But Santos said he "came here to serve the people, not politicians and party leaders, and I'm going to do just that"

Santos represents New York's 3rd Congressional District, which covers parts of Queens and Long Island.

"I don't see how he can fulfill his responsibilities. I think that's pretty clear," Molinaro said. "The level of dishonesty is just, I mean, it's just so disturbing."

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, meanwhile, said it was "going to be very difficult for him to do his job," but noted that as of Thursday, there were "no criminal charges."

"Any resignation has to come from the ground," she said.

Appearing on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” show, guest-hosted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, on Thursday, Santos pushed back against his critics, saying he planned to deliver for the people.

"I came here to serve the people, not politicians and party leaders, and I'm going to do just that," he said.

"I wish well, all of their opinions, but I was elected by 142,000 people," he added. "Until those same 142,000 people tell me they don't want me, we'll find out in two years."

For his part, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — who leads a slim Republican majority — once again declined to ask for Santos' resignation on Thursday.

He did, however, say Santos had a long way to go to earn trust.

"He is part of the Republican Conference. There are concerns about it, so he will go before ethics," McCarthy said. "If anything is found to be wrong, he will be held accountable."

Their remarks came as House Democrats from New York ramped up the pressure on their colleagues, arguing the situation was a mess Republicans would have to deal with themselves.

"Clean up your house. And you can start with George Santos," Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said.

"Let's see what they do," Bronx Rep. Jamaal Bowman added. "Because this is another reflection on their lack of leadership."

The growing pressure on Santos to resign comes as The New York Times reported Wednesday that a resume Santos submitted to Nassau County Republicans two years ago was littered with falsehoods.