President Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon to Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife Imelda, ending a federal corruption case against them.
Cuellar had been indicted in 2024 on multiple charges, including bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering, and acting as an agent of foreign entities without registration. Prosecutors alleged the couple accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for influencing U.S. policy. Cuellar was never imprisoned, as the case was pending trial scheduled for 2026, and he maintained his innocence throughout.
Trump’s reasoning for the pardon centered on his belief that Cuellar was targeted by a “weaponized” Department of Justice under the Biden administration for criticizing its border policies. In announcing the pardon on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — your nightmare is finally over!” He added that “Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH.”
However, shortly after the pardon, Cuellar filed to run for reelection in 2026 as a Democrat, quashing speculation he might switch parties. Trump is now expressing regret, blasting Cuellar for “such a lack of LOYALTY” in continuing to align with Democrats. Trump posted, “Only a short time after signing the Pardon… Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that he will be ‘running’ for Congress again… as a Democrat, continuing to work with the same Radical Left Scum that just weeks before wanted him and his wife to spend the rest of their lives in Prison – And probably still do!” He concluded, “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”
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