Republican leaders from Long Island condemned Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., Wednesday as a "pathological liar" and demanded he give up the House seat he won in November.
Santos, a political newcomer, lied about much of his personal and professional biography, making false claims about his Jewish heritage and inventing a story about his family escaping the Holocaust ahead of World War II.
"He's basically confessed. He needs help," Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who serves as Nassau County's top administrator, said at an emotional news conference. "He's not a normal person. He needs to stop deluding himself that he can continue in Congress."
New York Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., appeared at the event via video link from Washington, D.C., and also called on Santos to step down.
"George Santos does not have the ability to serve here in the House of Representatives and should resign," D'Esposito said.
Local GOP officials said they would refuse to work with Santos's office and will instead route any federal concerns through D'Esposito's office.
Santos has acknowledged "embellishing" his resume but has said repeatedly his deceptions were not criminal in nature.
Asked by reporters in Washington, D.C., whether he would step down, Santos replied, "I will not."
Santos has said he intends to serve out a full two-year term in Congress.
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