Ousted former NY Rep George Santos to leave GOP and run as Independent

Santos said his decision behind the move was based on House Republicans passing the $1.2 trillion aid package which has no funds allotted to shut down the US southern border.

Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December, called the decision "embarrassing" and said he could no longer in "good conscience" be a member of the Republican Party. However, Santos insisted that he still plans to take his "Trump-supporting values" to the ballot box in November.

"After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party," wrote Santos on X.

"The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything. I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent," he continued.

"I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent," Santos added.

The announcement comes as disapproval of the House GOP's decision to pass the bill erupted across social media on Friday, with the majority taking aim at House Speaker Mike Johnson for bringing it to the floor for a vote.

As a result of Johnson's decision, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) filed a motion to vacate the chair. If the House votes to vacate the chair, House Speaker Johnson would become the second speaker to be ousted in US history following the removal of Kevin McCarthy in October.