Embattled GOP Rep. George Santos Compares Himself To Rosa Parks: I’m ‘A Latino Gay Man’

Embattled New York Republican Rep. George Santos, who was indicted in May on 13 federal charges that include wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and false statements to the House of Representatives, compared himself to civil rights icon Rosa Parks in a new interview where he discussed feeling oppressed by members of his own party.

“They come for me, I go right back for them because I think for far too long they’ve gotten away with getting along to get along,” he said on Mike Crispi’s podcast. “So no, it’s not going to stay that way anymore. I’m gonna call them out. You want to call me a liar. I’ll call you a sellout.”

“I mean Mitt Romney, the man goes to the State of the Union of the United States wearing a Ukraine lapel pin tells me, a Latino gay man that I shouldn’t sit in the front and that I should be in the back,” he continued. “Well, guess what? Rosa Parks wouldn’t sit in the back and neither am I going to sit in the back.”

“That’s just the reality of how it works. Mitt Romney lives in a very different world, and he needs to buckle up because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride for him,” he added.

Indicted GOP Congressman George Santos compares himself to Rosa Parks in bizarre interview pic.twitter.com/AvTteVEStY

— TheGailyGrind 🏳️‍🌈 (@thegailygrind) July 10, 2023

Santos is accused of fraudulently redirecting campaign donations to his own accounts and falsely applied for unemployment benefits.

Santos, who surrendered to federal law enforcement, pleaded not guilty at a hearing in May. He was released on a $500,000 bond.

The indictment alleges that Santos defrauded two individuals of $25,000 each in donations he said were meant to support his political campaign but were instead funneled to personal accounts. Santos then used those funds for personal expenses, including paying debts and purchasing designer clothes, the indictment said.

“Additionally, the indictment alleges that Santos falsely applied for and received unemployment benefits while he was still working at an investment firm in 2020. Santos received more than $24,000 in unemployment benefits while he was still employed, the indictment said The indictment also alleges that Santos made false statements tied to his failed 2020 campaign for office as part of federally required House disclosures. In those disclosures, Santos hid more than $25,000 in income he received from an investment firm, instead saying it came from another company, the indictment states.”