Ground Zero worker urges Kevin McCarthy to punish George Santos for lying about his mom being a 9/11 victim
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
- A Ground Zero worker called on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to take action against Rep. George Santos.
- Documents indicate Santos' claim that his mother was present at 9/11 are false.
- The New York Republican has been caught in a web of lies about his career and background.
A construction worker who lost a foot while working at Ground Zero called out George Santos for lying about his mother being at 9/11, and demanded that he be punished.
The worker, John Feal, called on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to take action against Santos for the claim, one of a string of untruths which have unraveled since Santos took office.
Feal, an advocate on behalf of first responders on 9/11, said Santos' lies reopened wounds that were still raw for many like him.
"Every time you think that scab is going to heal, this man, his face, his words, his actions, cause...more pain" Feal told CNN's Anderson Cooper.
"He is an example of what is wrong with Congress, and he is an example of what is wrong with mainstream America."
—Catherine Catalane (@CCCatalane) January 20, 2023
Feal said McCarthy should "be a man" and take action against Santos.
"Kevin McCarthy can easily fix this," he said. "He can fix this. And if Kevin, if you're watching and if you're listening, be a man. Man up. Show the leadership that you were voted in for and do the right thing. This man is leaving a trail of pain behind him, and nobody's doing anything about it."
Insider contacted representatives for Santos to comment.
Santos has been embroiled scandal since he was elected last November, after a string of claims he made about his career, his education and his background were exposed as fabrications.
He had initially claimed on Twitter in 2021 that his mother died as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.
—George Santos (@Santos4Congress) July 13, 2021
"She was in the south tower, and she made it out. She got caught up in the ash cloud. My mom fought cancer till her death," Santos said in a 2021 radio interview.
But immigration documents obtained by news organisations this week showed that Santos' mother told US authorities in 2003 that she had been in Brazil since 1999.
She also filed documents in Brazil months before the attacks saying her green card had been stolen.
Santos also claimed his mother was a financial executive on his website, but in government papers she listed her trade as housekeeper.
Santos is facing growing calls to resign from Congress. He is also facing an investigation from federal authorities over his financial affairs, and from authorities in Brazil over allegations he used a stolen checkbook.
McCarthy has said that Santos has the right to serve in Congress and has handed him committee assignments.