'Why? This is a mistake': Fox News contributor melts down after learning of new Trump move

Donald Trump just made a huge mistake in releasing a Republican from prison, according to former George W. Bush administration White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.

Fleischer, a Fox News contributor who served as press secretary under then-President George W. Bush from January 2001 to July 2003, chimed in over the weekend after learning that Trump commuted the sentence of disgraced ex-GOP representative George Santos. Santos not only was found to have lied to voters about his background, but also to have committed wire fraud and other felonies.

Why?

This is a mistake. Wire fraud and identity theft are serious crimes. There is nothing about Santos that suggests he deserves this, especially after serving only three months.

George Santos released from prison after Trump commutes sentence https://t.co/h1TLcLUwzI
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) October 18, 2025