Santos’ parting words: ‘I no longer have to answer a single question’

As the House formally expelled him from its ranks for a litany of controversial behavior, George Santos left the floor early.

The New York Republican told reporters as he departed the Capitol on Friday that he had no reaction beyond warning that his colleagues “just set a new dangerous precedent for themselves.”

Santos added that he did not plan to take advantage of Capitol access privileges afforded to former lawmakers, but he did suggest — despite holding repeated press events in the run-up to his expulsion — that he would enjoy leaving the spotlight.

“As unofficially already no longer a member of Congress, I no longer have to answer a single question,” said Santos, who is facing trial next year on multiple felony counts, including lying to Congress and wire fraud. “That is the one thing that I’m going to take forever.”

Santos left the Hill in a Jaguar SUV.