Trump pardons Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar in shock move
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Rep. Henry Cuellar attends a House Appropriations Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on May 15. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
President Trump on Wednesday announced he is granting a "full and unconditional PARDON" to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who was indicted last year on conspiracy and bribery charges, which he denies.
Why it matters: Trump has granted clemency to several former Democratic elected officials, but it is an extremely unusual move for the Republican president to pardon a sitting Democratic member of Congress.
Driving the news: Trump, in a post on Truth Social, alleged that the Biden administration "weaponized the Justice System" and prosecuted Cuellar because he "bravely spoke out against ... the Biden Border 'Catastrophe.'"
- "Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar," Trump continued.
- The president added that he will pardon Cuellar's wife, Imelda, as well. She was under indictment on the same charges as her husband.
- Trump attached to the post a letter from the Cuellars' daughters pleading for clemency for their parents, calling them "honest individuals" and "good, decent people."
- He told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Cuellar is a" respected person," who "was treated very badly because he said that people should not be allowed to pour into" the U.S., per a White House pool report.
What they're saying: "I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts," Cuellar said in a post on X.
- "I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas," he said.
- Cuellar added that the pardon gives him "a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on."
Catch up quick: The Cuellars were were indicted in May 2024 and accused of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes in exchange for influencing U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank.
- The indictment accused Cuellar, then the top Democrat on a House Appropriations subcommittee that deals with national security, of getting provisions included in major legislation to boost U.S. security spending for Azerbaijan.
- He also was alleged to have supported legislation blocking payday lending regulations and relaxing criminal money laundering laws on behalf of the Mexican bank.
- Cuellar said at the time he was "innocent of these allegations" and has maintained that he consulted with the House Ethics Committee to ensure his actions were legal.
Between the lines: Trump's move may prove a headache for House Republicans, who were already dealing with an agonizingly narrow majority and had hoped to unseat Cuellar next year.
- One of the most conservative Democrats in the House, Cuellar represents a highly competitive district in South Texas that has shifted towards Republicans in recent election cycles.
- The Texas Democrat told reporters he is not switching parties and will file to run for reelection.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with further comment by President Trump and additional reporting.
