WASHINGTON, DC: Republican congressman George Santos has sparked controversy and faced widespread criticism after comparing himself to civil rights icon Rosa Parks in an interview. The New York lawmaker, who is currently embroiled in multiple investigations regarding campaign finance laws, likened his situation of being told to sit at the back of Congress during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address to Parks' historic refusal to give up her bus seat in 1955 Alabama.
Eyebrow-raising comment
Santos made the audacious comparison during an interview, conducted from the backseat of an SUV, where he expressed his refusal to be silenced by his colleagues. "Rosa Parks didn't sit in the back, and neither am I," Santos proclaimed.
The Republican congressman has been mired in controversy for allegedly lying about his resume, career, and background during his election campaign, which landed him in public office. Santos is currently awaiting trial after being arrested in May on 13 different charges, including wire fraud and theft of public funds. During an appearance on Mike Crispi's 'Unafraid' program, Santos unleashed a scathing attack on GOP Senator Mitt Romney and other establishment Republicans, accusing them of compromising their principles to maintain their positions. "It's not going to stay that way anymore," Santos declared. "I'm going to call them out. You want to call me a liar, I'll call you a sell-out."
Why did George Santos compare himself to Rosa Parks?
Santos comparing himself to Rosa Parks stemmed from his claim that Romney attempted to have him sit in the back of the chamber during President Biden's State of the Union address. He also criticized Romney for wearing a Ukraine lapel pin during the speech. Santos asserted that Romney's actions symbolized an attempt to segregate him, a minority and LGBTQ community member, to the back of the chamber. "Mitt Romney lives in a very different world. And he needs to buckle up—it's going to be a very bumpy ride for him," Santos concluded.
Rosa Parks became an iconic figure in the Civil Rights movement in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on a public bus for White passengers. Her act of civil disobedience led to her arrest and became a catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Santos' controversial comparison has drawn widespread criticism, with many arguing that it trivializes the immense significance of Rosa Parks's courageous stand against racial segregation. Critics view Santos' remarks as an attempt to deflect attention from the serious allegations and investigations surrounding his own conduct.
Santos' ongoing legal troubles and Ethics investigation
The New York congressman is currently facing multiple probes, including an ongoing case in which he was arrested and jailed on charges of wire fraud and theft of public funds. Santos' father, Gercino dos Santos Jr, and aunt, Elma Preven, reportedly put together the funds to post his bond and secure his release from jail. Additionally, Santos is the subject of an Ethics investigation in Congress, which has been expanded to encompass allegations that he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits.
The indictment against Santos accuses him of applying for unemployment benefits in New York under false pretenses, despite earning a substantial income from an investment firm in Florida. Furthermore, the indictment alleges that Santos misused funds donated to his congressional campaign for personal expenses and lied on financial disclosure forms. The congressman has also faced allegations of fabricating his educational background, work history, and falsely claiming that his mother died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, per The New York Times.
