By Andrew Solander
Axios
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.'"
The Texas Democrat told reporters he is not switching parties and will file to run for reelection.
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.
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 indicted on 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.
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 indicted on 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.
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.
34 comments:
There is nothing better than when Demorats turn on each other!!!
Don't forget that President Trump spends his nights ranting about unimportant things on social media and day sleeping during meetings.
I may be wrong but I think that we will be getting a stimulus check because Trumputo wants people to like him. He has fucked up so bad that he thinks money will fix the problem. The way money fixes the pardons. La mordida. He makes us look like Mexico.
If Biden weponized the justice system Trump is "selling the justice system." People need to remember that these people were convicted by a jury of their peers. The legal system has its system of ✔️ checks. For example, evidence needs to be shared by both the prosecutor and defense. Not only does the information need to be shared it needs to be shared in a timely manner.
Who believes that both Hernandez and Cuellar did not hire the best lawyers that money can buy? These people fought the charges tooth & nail and were found guilty.
Y el Fajita Thief? The Fajita Thief had fajitas but he doesn't not have money. If the justice system is weponized it is weponized against the poor.
He’s a DINO. A protege of El Súcio Lucio. He’s made a small fortune sucking off Republican big business and right wing special interest groups just like El Súcio did. All the while washing his finger in stupid Democrats’ mouths who couldn’t figure it out that he fucking them over and laughing all the way to the bank.
Sheinbaum se reunirá con Trump en su viaje a Washington para el sorteo del Mundial 2026
La presidenta también tendrá un encuentro con el primer ministro de Canadá, Mark Carney, donde podrían tratar temas como el T-MEC.
“After we blew up their boat, they continued swimming towards America to continue their drug trade…so we spent a $5 million missile on them - total threat” - Trump Admin
Donald Trump is the biggest traitor this country has ever seen in its 250 years
Trump is getting paid for pardons. He doesn’t even know who he’s pardoning.
Cuellar's a pussy. But we should hang the admiral who ordered the latest boat bombing. This makes me so mad that they believe we are this stupid. The boat on video is completely destroyed with 9 of 11 dead and two hanging on to wreckage in the middle of the ocean and somehow, they started paddling to the U.S with thousands of pounds of drugs.
Fuck you, Trump - you lying savage!!!
How do we even know they were on a drug run? Since when do small drug boats carry 11 people?
Trump just pardoned the biggest convicted narco terrorist. He doesn’t tolerate the poor people who are only accused of dealing, they get the death penalty without a trial.
Henry Cuellar routinely voted with Republicans. He's another Border Mexican who wishes he was not a Mexican. Worthless sack of shit.
Juan, is it still possible to get a piece of ass in Brownsville by offering a pound of hamburger meat?
Listen MAGA maggots. There is no DOGE check coming. Still waiting for the no taxes on OT or tips? Don't hold your breath. The only ones cashing in are
the top 1%, corporations, millionaires and billionaires. Some individual's wealth has reached a trillion with a "T" dollars. They keep getting more perks. The cult suffers from an acute case of Stockholm Syndrome. Throwing around your petty communist/indoctrinated Left elementary school taunts amplifies the severity of your condition. Get a cure before you contaminate others.
How many felons have been pardoned by Trump so far? Anyone willing to put some Benjamins into his bank account sees freedom. Why even bother with a judicial system? But, Biden... Trump and Hegseth flaunt murder on the open sea and then deny they knew anything about it. Let the servicemen take the heat. Abysmal and pathetic. The walking crimewave, felon and fabricator still has the unwavering support of his brainwashed masses. It's only a matter of time before dementia perforates his senile brain.
FTP x 2
Thank you president trump for saving one of the only honorable demorats!
You useless sack of unrefined shit. What do you know about anything, you fucking GED loser. Beat it, fuckhead.
Trump is wrecking and has wrecked the GOP. One thing is clear those who hitch their wagons to Mango Trump are destined to ruin. Run rabbits run, as far away from Trump's funeral pyre or you are surely to get burned alive. You have no meaning to Trump the destroyer of all around him. And now you run because you see and know this. Save yourself and your family from the hate you will reap from those Americans who will blame you for enabling tyranny in America. Run as fast as you can or perish in the killing flames.
The most transparently corrupt and full of shit cabinet ever. This is absurd.
Any president that says " i didn't know about the second attack" should step down
These administration is just playing with the toys.
Hey Francisco de las tres pulgadas, I know I said I wouldn’t but I came back to troll you again. I bet you are jacking it thinking of sombrero fest and wish you could meet turi and hang out with him. Damn, you are one STMF. As for my daughter Chelsea I am sure she “moans” but never for a loser like you. GTFOH “frank”
Blacks don't have money and yet they commit crimes with impunity if the DA is also black.
Yes, the last night I got your mother for a pounding of sausage 🌭. Le gusta el chorizo.
The money for the stimulus checks from President Biden's American Rescue Plan came from the federal government. The money for the proposed $2,000 checks from president Trump will come from tariff dividends. I prefer the latter. If anyone of you don’t want to receive the check for whatever reason you can refuse and send it back.
The U.S. has issued numerous warnings about heightened military activity in the waters off Venezuela, advising against open sea travel due to safety concerns. The Communists party is up in arms because their comrades are being killed. You all were warned.
If everything is as bad as you claim why did Aftyn Behn lose the recent special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District? GOP continues winning. It must be real difficult for you little communists to accept constant defeat. Keep listening and believing the fake media who is only giving you morons false hope.
Many innocent people were wrongly accused of crimes, charged and later convicted by the Biden weaponized judicial system. Thanks to our great president who is working hard to undo the wrong.
Democrats? There are no more Democrats. The communist party is the party of the left wing.
If it wasn't for pro football and basketball all blacks would be poor.
Practice makes perfect.
The size of boats used for drug trafficking from Venezuela can vary, but they are often small, short-range vessels. These boats are typically designed for quick transport and evasion, making them suitable for navigating the Caribbean and avoiding detection.
We have spend a lot more in Ukraine which poses no threat to America.
7:45 AM
The merchants just add the tariff price to what they sell. It is like restaurants adding the 4% for the use of a debit or credit card. The consumer pays the price. The money is still coming from the tax payer.
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