Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos announced he will run for Congress in 2020 on Friday, just one week after being released from federal prison.
Papadopoulos told reporters in his first interview since being released from prison that he partly joined President Donald Trump’s campaign so he could use it as a platform for 2020, adding that running for public office has always been on his agenda.
“I have a lot to give back to this country. I have experienced the pathological and excellent aspects of our democracy, I want to use my past leadership experience to pursue my present ambition, public service and to serve the people. The will of the people is paramount, and with the tremendous support Americans from all across the country have given me, even in LA, I am confident that I have a shot in 2020,” Papadopoulos told The Daily Caller News Foundation when contacted for comment.
Papadopoulos reportedly wants to run for a seat in Orange County, California, and has reportedly began fundraising for his bid.
WATCH:
NEW: George Papadopoulos, the Trump adviser jailed over Russia meddling probe, wants to run for Congress in 2020.
He tells me he is looking at seats in Orange County (Nixon’s birthplace) and is already taking to donors.
Full interview: https://t.co/bUmOuO6uyE pic.twitter.com/6roXm6RccU
— Ben Riley-Smith (@benrileysmith) December 14, 2018
Papadopoulos was released from prison on Dec. 7, after serving 12 days of a 14-day sentence. He was released from a federal prison in Oxford, Wisconsin, around 9 a.m. local time, according to CNN.
He still has to serve 12 months of supervised probation, pay a $9,500 fine and complete 200 hours of community service.
This all comes after Papadopoulos accepted a plea deal from special counsel Robert Mueller related to charges that he lied to the FBI about his interactions with Russian nationals during the presidential campaign. (RELATED: George Papadopoulos Has Been Released From Prison)
George Papadopoulos and his wife Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos arrive at US District Court for his sentencing in Washington, DC. (Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
The former Trump campaign adviser was arrested in July 2017 and was sentenced to jail on Sept. 7 after he pleaded guilty on Oct. 5, 2017 for making false statements to the FBI.
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