Ramaswamy Calls Santos ‘Insane,’ Deems Removal ‘Wrong’

(ConservativeSense.com) – Republican presidential candidate and political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy had a nuanced reaction to the recent expulsion of former New York Rep. George Santos, condemning him as “insane” and a “liar” while also condemning the motion to expel Santos as “wrong.”

Even though Ramaswamy made it clear that he isn’t a fan of the disgraced former lawmaker, he also believes Santos’s fate should’ve been decided by voters in the next election rather than by his colleagues, with the only exception being a situation where a criminal conviction was handed down.

Ultimately, Ramaswamy believes the decision of Santos’ ability to serve in office “belongs to the voters,” while the decision of whether or not “he’s a criminal” is up “to the courts.” In a statement shared on Twitter, Ramaswamy argues that the expulsion of Santos “sets an awful precedent” and will also open “a Pandora’s Box” to “be exploited next time” any other lawmaker “in either party pokes the uniparty bear.”

Ramaswamy admitted that he believes Santos “has some serious problems” and that he has no desire to meet him, but that he still believes “it’s wrong” to have expelled Santos “without putting it to the voters” or “running it through the court process.” The biotech entrepreneur said the legal process should be allowed to “play itself out” and noted that the only other two House members expelled “since the Civil War” already had convictions “in a court of law” before they were booted.

The GOP presidential candidate said that Congress has overridden “the Democratic will of the people” by not leaving the decision on Santos to the voters and the court system,” noting that he’s aware his position isn’t “popular” right now, but that he believes somebody has to “speak the truth.”

Ramaswamy also pointed out the double standard of kicking out Santos while Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey remains in his seat even after being indicted for allegations of accepting foreign bribes. After the vote, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also acknowledged the case of Menendez, renewing his call for a vote by the Senate to expel him on charges he says are “more sinister” than those against Santos.