'Easier it is to defend myself': George Santos reacts as House ethics committee expands probe

This Thursday, the identities of the people who cosigned New York GOP Rep. George Santos' post-arraignment bond were revealed, as his father and aunt. Soon after, it was reported that the GOP-led House Ethics Committee has issued dozens of subpoenas and requests for information in connection to its investigation into him.

As MSNBC's Steve Benen points out, the House Ethics Committee traditionally pauses investigations when members are facing criminal investigations, but it has instead expanded its investigation into Santos to include one of the criminal charges that led to his arrest – specifically the charge that he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits.

“The Committee is aware of the risks associated with dual investigations and is in communication with the Department of Justice to mitigate the potential risks while still meeting the Committee’s obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House," read a statement from the committee’s bipartisan leadership, Republican Rep. Michael Guest and Democratic Rep. Susan Wild.

Speaking to Raw Story today on Capitol Hill, Santos said, "The more thorough the investigation, the easier it is to defend myself.

He went on, "All of these investigations are started by these non-profit watch groups out there that are very much biased."

In May, Santos was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. He has pleaded not guilty.

The ethics probe was launched in February to determine whether Santos "engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office."

Speaking to Raw Story, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said that it's "still not clear to me that extreme MAGA Republicans have any interest in holding George Santos accountable," adding that even though some have said Santos does deserve to serve, "they continue to coddle him."