Calls for Rep.-elect George Santos to respond to allegations raised in a New York Times report this week – which called into question numerous aspects of the Republican’s resume – have continued to grow louder.

What You Need To Know

  • At a press conference on Wednesday, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the incoming House Democratic leader, called on New York Rep.-elect George Santos to address allegations raised by the New York Times about discrepancies in his biography

  • "At this moment, we need answers from George Santos," Jeffries said. "He appears to be a complete and utter fraud"

  • In a statement earlier this week, an attorney for Santos called the Times report an attempt to “smear” the congressman-elect

  • Jeffries’ comments join a growing chorus of those asking for clarification from the 34-year-old Republican, including some calling for his resignation

“At this moment, we need answers from George Santos,” said New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the incoming House Democratic leader. “He appears to be a complete and utter fraud.”

The Times report called into question his employment and education history, and raised questions about a charity he claimed to have founded called “Friend of Pets United.” CNN also found the same discrepancies in its review of the claims. The Times also reported that Santos made false claims about his residency, as well as statements that four of his employees were killed in the 2016 mass shooting at Orlando's Pulse, a gay nightclub, that left 49 people dead.

In a statement, an attorney for Santos called the Times report an attempt to “smear” the congressman-elect, who defeated Democrat Robert Zimmerman by roughly 22,000 votes to represent the district encompassing northeastern Queens and parts of the north shore of Long Island.

"After four years in the public eye, and on the verge of being sworn in as a member of the Republican led 118th Congress, the New York Times launches this shotgun blast of attacks," attorney Joseph Murray said in a statement earlier this week. "It is no surprise that Congressman-elect Santos has enemies at the New York Times who are attempting to smear his good name with these defamatory allegations. 

At a Wednesday press conference in Washington, Jeffries said that in his view, Santos “perpetrated a fraud in terms of his views on delivering for the people of Nassau County.

“He pretended to be a moderate on the campaign trail,” Jeffries said. “We know that is not true. He's consistently played footsie with white supremacists, election deniers, and those who seek to overturn our democracy.”

Jeffries appeared to be making reference to Santos’ recent appearance at a Dec. 10 event sponsored by the New York Young Republican Club attended by far-right European and U.S. figures and other Republican lawmakers. At the event, conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R - Ga., told the crowd that had she and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon organized the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, “we would have won,” adding: “Not to mention, it would have been armed.”

“We'll see what happens on Jan. 3,” Jeffries continued, referring to the opening date of the 118th Congress.”It's an open question to me as to whether this is the type of individual that the incoming majority should welcome to Congress. That's a question for [House GOP leader] Kevin McCarthy at this point in time.”

Jeffries’ comments join a growing chorus of those asking for clarification from the 34-year-old Republican congressman-elect, including some calling for his resignation.

“The reality is Santos flat-out lied to the voters of NY-03,” said Zimmerman, Santos’ midterm opponent, in a statement earlier this week. “He's violated the public trust in order to win office and does not deserve to represent Long Island and Queens. Santos' failure to answer any of the questions about these allegations demonstrates why he is unfit for public office and should resign.”

Fellow challengers in New York’s third Congressional district expressed similar sentiments.

“Our democracy is only as strong as the people who represent it,” said Melanie D’Arrigo, a progressive who sought the Democratic nomination in NY-03, adding: “We have no idea who [Santos] really is. Santos should not be seated. He should resign.”

Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, who also ran for the Democratic nomination, called on Santos to “resign immediately.”

“My constituents deserve so much better than this,” Lafazan wrote on Twitter.

And the criticism was not just limited to Democrats. The chair of the Nassau County Republican Committee told CNN in a statement that the allegations were “serious,” but said Santos should have the opportunity to clarify the questions raised.

“While issues that have been raised in a December 19th New York Times article are serious, I believe that George Santos deserves an opportunity to address the claims detailed in the article, which have been repeated by other news sources,” Joseph G. Cairo Jr., chair of the Nassau County Republican Committee, told CNN in a statement. 

“Every person deserves an opportunity to ‘clear’ his/her name in the face of accusations,” Cairo Jr. added. “I am committed to this principle, and I look forward to the Congressman-Elect’s responses to the news reports.”

Former New York Rep. Peter King, a Republican who represented parts of Long Island in the House for nearly three decades, urged Santos to address the allegations directly.

"He can’t just say none of this happened and none of this is true," King told NBC New York. "He has to show why what he is saying is true. The burden is now on him.”