George Santos, the Republican who won a congressional seat by fabricating details of his life story, then went to prison for fraud, was given clemency by President Donald Trump on Friday.

“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” Trump wrote on social media. “Good luck George, have a great life!” Trump concluded.

Here is a timeline of Santos’ extraordinary rise and fall.

Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates. The district includes a tiny part of New York City and a swath of suburbs on Long Island.

Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume.

Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself “a proud American Jew” in a position paper, he insists he “never claimed to be Jewish” but rather “Jew-ish.”

Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos.

January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts.

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Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he won’t resign.

February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him.

March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos.

Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he “cannot be trusted.”

Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required.

December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo.

February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show.

April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024.

April 25, 2025: Santos is sentenced in federal court to more than seven years in prison.

July 25, 2025: Santos reports to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey.

Oct. 17, 2025: President Donald Trump commutes Santos’ sentence.