George Santos: Lies, Lies and More Lies

George Santos Indicted

“CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – A 13-count indictment was unsealed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging George Anthony Devolder Santos, better known as “George Santos,” a United States Congressman representing the Third District of New York, with 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.

The indictment was returned yesterday under seal by a federal grand jury sitting in Central Islip, New York. Santos was arrested this morning and will be arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York.” – United States Justice Department

Lying and deception have unfortunately been present in American politics throughout history. While it is difficult to provide an exhaustive account of every instance, here are some notable examples that highlight the history of lying in American politics:

1. Watergate Scandal (1972-1974): One of the most infamous political scandals in American history, the Watergate scandal involved President Richard Nixon and his administration. Nixon and his aides were found to have engaged in a series of lies and cover-ups regarding the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. This led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
2. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq (2003): The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 was partly justified based on claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. However, no substantial evidence of such weapons was ever found. This discrepancy between the claims made by the Bush administration and the reality on the ground led to accusations of intentional deception.
3. Bill Clinton’s Lewinsky Affair (1998): President Bill Clinton infamously denied having a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, during a deposition in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Subsequent investigations revealed that Clinton had indeed engaged in an improper relationship with Lewinsky, leading to impeachment proceedings against him.
4. Vietnam War (1955-1975): Throughout the Vietnam War, multiple U.S. administrations misled the American public regarding the progress and prospects of the conflict. Lying about the true state of affairs in Vietnam caused a loss of trust and credibility in government officials.
5. Election Promises and Campaign Lies: Candidates often make promises during political campaigns that are later proven to be exaggerated or unfulfilled. These instances of political lying can range from misleading statements about policy positions to false accusations made against opponents.

It is important to note that lying in politics is not limited to any particular party or ideology. It is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including the desire for power, partisan motivations, public opinion, and the nature of politics itself. While lying in politics is widely criticized, it remains a challenge to eradicate completely.