WASHINGTON — President Trump expressed indignant remorse over his eyebrow-raising pardon of Rep. Henry Cuellar final Wednesday after the pol shortly confirmed his reelection plans as a Democrat.
Cuellar (D-Texas), 70, who sits in one of many Home Democrats’ best seats confronted federal bribery, cash laundering, and foreign-agent fees for allegedly taking $600,000 from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil firm and a Mexican financial institution.
“Solely a short while after signing the Pardon, Congressman Henry Cuellar introduced that he can be ‘operating’ for Congress once more, within the Nice State of Texas (a State the place I acquired the very best variety of votes ever recorded!), as a Democrat,” Trump raged in a prolonged Fact Social submit.
“Such an absence of LOYALTY, one thing that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, is not going to like. Oh’ properly, subsequent time, no extra Mr. Good man!”
Trump’s pardon of Cuellar, a uncommon, reasonably pro-life Democrat, had perplexed many Republicans. Cuellar’s seat in Texas’ twenty eighth Congressional District is rated as one in every of six Home Democrat-held toss-up races by election handicapper Prepare dinner Political Report.
By pardoning the Texas Democrat, who was indicted by the Biden-era Justice Division, Trump, 79, seemingly undermined a golden pickup alternative for Republicans within the 2026 midterm elections.
Since 2004, Cuellar has survived quite a few robust challenges from Republicans and Democratic major contenders alike.
Trump’s pardon had drawn reward from Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
“This indictment was very skinny to start with, for my part,” Jeffries instructed CNN. “I don’t know why the president determined to do that. I feel the end result was precisely the fitting final result.”
The president make clear his choice to offer Cuellar an unconditional pardon by posting a letter he acquired from the rep’s daughters final month begging him to spare their father.
They pointed to Cuellar’s outspoken criticism of former President Joe Biden’s border insurance policies and alleged his bluntness in regards to the ex-prez could have been a consider his indictment.
“We additionally consider that our father’s independence and honesty could have contributed to how this case started,” they wrote earlier than later including: “With all our hearts, we humbly ask that you just present mercy and compassion to our dad and mom.”
Cuellar, who voted to question Trump twice throughout his first time period, was accused of taking bribes between 2014 and 2021 by way of “sham consulting contracts” and “a collection of entrance corporations and middlemen.”
These corporations have been owned by Cuellar’s spouse, Imelda, who “carried out little to no professional work,” the Justice Division alleged.
The South Texas Democrat confirmed his reelection plans to reporters shortly after Trump introduced the pardon.
“The Dems have been vicious, and all as a result of Henry strongly needed, accurately, BORDER SECURITY! He was in opposition to illegals pouring into our Nation, completely unchecked and unvetted,” Trump added on Fact Social.
“It was all very unfair what they have been doing to him and his household, a lot in order that his daughters wrote me an attractive letter about their dad and mom,” Trump continued.
“I by no means spoke to the Congressman, his spouse, or his daughters, however felt excellent about preventing for a household that was laid low with very sick and deranged folks.”
