Rep. George Santos says he will return to Capitol Hill after being indicted on 13 counts Wednesday.

Awaiting him will be colleagues who want nothing to do with him. House Republican leaders, though, are so far not demanding he resign.

For months, all of the New York Republicans representing congressional swing districts have urged Santos to step down – a position they doubled-down on considering the charges.


What You Need To Know

  • For months, all of the New York Republicans representing congressional swing districts have urged Santos to step down – a position they doubled-down on in light of the charges

  • Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who leads a slim Republican majority in the House, is declining to call for Santos’ resignation, saying he remains innocent until proven guilty. Rep. Elise Stefanik echoed that sentiment Wednesday, saying "this legal process is going to play itself out”

  • Asked if it is time for the McCarthy to call for Santos to resign, Suffolk County Republican Congressman Nick LaLota said, “You can ask the Speaker that question”

“I think it’s just the first domino to fall in really what will unwind his ability to stay in the House of Representatives,” said Syracuse-area Rep. Brandon Williams, who touts how he predicted in March that Santos would be arrested and appear before a judge in the not “too distant future.”

Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat who filed an ethics complaint against Santos earlier this year, said that after the indictment, House GOP leaders now have a choice.

“There are only two morally acceptable outcomes,” he said. “Either George Santos resigns, or House Republican leadership finally summons the courage and integrity to expel him from Congress.”

But GOP leadership is so far not taking that step.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who leads a slim Republican majority in the House, is declining to call for Santos’ resignation, saying he remains innocent until proven guilty.

North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik, the highest-ranking New York Republican on Capitol Hill, echoed a similar sentiment Wednesday.

“As I’ve said, from the very beginning on questions on this subject, this legal process is going to play itself out,” she said. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time a member of Congress from either party has been indicted.”

Is the leadership’s position acceptable to the rank-and-file Republicans who have long been calling on Santos to leave Congress? Those that spoke with Spectrum News NY1 Wednesday declined to press McCarthy on the issue.

Asked if it is time for McCarthy to call for Santos to resign, Suffolk County Republican Rep. Nick LaLota said, “You can ask the Speaker that question.”

“I leave that to the Speaker,” Williams said. “I want the Speaker focused on the debt ceiling, the number one issue that we’re facing and that matters to our nation right now.”

This federal case is just one of several investigations Santos is facing.

On Capitol Hill, the House Ethics Committee is also looking into Santos.

The timeline of that probe remains unclear.