President Donald Trump announced Dec. 3 that he is issuing a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and his wife, who last year were indicted on charges related to allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.
In a Truth Social post announcing the pardon, Trump claimed the Biden administration targeted Cuellar for breaking with the White House on immigration and border policy. He said Cuellar “bravely spoke out against Open Borders, and the Biden Border ‘Catastrophe.’”
“Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH,” the President wrote. “It is unAmerican and, as I previously stated, the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy!”
“Because of these facts, and others,” he added, “I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!”
Trump attached a letter he received last month from Cuellar’s daughters, who urged him to show “mercy and compassion” to their parents. They suggested Cuellar’s “independence and honesty” may have invited the Biden administration’s investigation.
“With all our hearts, we humbly ask that you show mercy and compassion to our parents — either by dismissing this case or granting a full and unconditional pardon,” the two daughters wrote in a Nov. 12 letter.
According to the Texas Tribune, Cuellar’s legal controversy began in 2022 when the FBI raided his home and office as part of a broader probe into Azerbaijani influence efforts.
The Justice Department indicted Cuellar and his wife in 2024 on 14 counts, including bribery, money laundering, and acting as foreign agents, The Hill reported. Prosecutors alleged the couple accepted about $600,000 from Azerbaijan’s state oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for political favors.
Cuellar has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. A judge dismissed two counts in August at the government’s request and scheduled a trial for next year, according to The Hill.
With Trump’s pardon, Cuellar will no longer face legal ramifications related to the case.
In a statement on X, Cuellar thanked Trump for “his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. 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.”
“This pardon gives us a clean slate,” he continued. “The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
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