President Trump is sharply criticizing Rep. Henry Cuellar, expressing anger that the Texas Democrat chose to run for Congress again under his party’s banner just days after receiving a presidential pardon that cleared him and his wife, Imelda, of federal bribery and related charges. Cuellar formally filed for reelection soon after the pardon was issued last week, ending speculation that he might switch parties after years as one of the House’s more conservative Democrats.
Trump’s frustration was evident in a post on Truth Social, where he wrote that shortly after granting clemency, Cuellar announced he would 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!” The president went on to denounce “Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like,” before adding, “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”
Speaking Sunday on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, Cuellar defended both his decision to run again and his longstanding party affiliation. Citing the late President Lyndon Johnson, he said, “I’m an American, I’m a Texan, and I’m a Democrat, in that order.” He added that “anybody that puts party before their country is doing a disservice to their country.”
Cuellar told reporters last week that “nothing has changed” about his political identity following the pardon, and described himself as a “conservative Democrat” who intends to work with the president where possible: “If I can work and find common ground, then I certainly want to do that.” He said he prayed that morning for Trump and his family, explaining, “if the president succeeds, the country succeeds.”
Cuellar and his wife were indicted in May 2024 on 14 federal counts, accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from an Azerbaijan state-run energy firm and a Mexican bank in exchange for actions benefitting both entities. Two counts related to foreign-agent registration were dismissed months later. The couple pleaded not guilty. A separate House Ethics Committee inquiry remains open.
The Justice Department originally alleged that Cuellar agreed to influence legislation and deliver a favorable congressional speech. Cuellar has maintained his innocence, insisting prosecutors tried — unsuccessfully — to ensnare him in a sting operation.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that the case stemmed from Cuellar’s vocal opposition to President Biden’s border policies. In Sunday’s post, he argued that Democrats “mercilessly went after Henry with everything they had!” and sought to “destroy him, his lovely wife, his two young daughters, and anyone close to them.”
He said his decision to pardon Cuellar was influenced by a letter from the congressman’s daughters, Christina and Catherine, who urged him to “show mercy and compassion to our parents.” In that letter — which Trump reposted — they cited their father’s willingness to “speak his mind” about border security.
Despite Trump’s public rebuke, Cuellar reiterated that he intends to work with the administration, expressing interest in meeting border officials and saying, “I’d love to sit down and see where we can find common ground.”
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