Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to pardon Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, who was indicted last year on charges of accepting approximately $600,000 in bribes.
In a social media post, Trump stated he would issue a “full and unconditional” pardon to the Texas representative and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, who was also implicated in the case.
“Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight – Your nightmare is finally over!” the former Republican president wrote.
He further suggested that Cuellar was targeted by President Joe Biden due to his “bravely spoke out against Open Borders.” Cuellar and his wife, who were released on bail following their indictment, have maintained their innocence.
On Wednesday, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat, dismissing speculation that he might switch parties and bolster the Republican’s slim majority in the House.
The Justice Department, under the Biden administration, alleged that Cuellar, who has represented Texas’ 28th congressional district since 2005, illicitly received funds from an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company and a Mexican bank.
The indictment alleges that Cuellar agreed to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan and advocate for measures benefiting the Mexico City bank in exchange for the funds.
Prosecutors alleged that companies owned by Imelda Cuellar laundered the money, which was then used by the family to settle debts and make purchases.
These expenditures allegedly included $58,000 in credit card payments, $18,000 at wholesale stores, and $12,000 for a custom gown, according to the indictment.
The couple faced charges including conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, and violating a ban on acting as agents of a foreign organization.
Despite being a Democrat, Cuellar’s political positions are considered more conservative than many members of his party.
He has been referred to as the “last pro-life Democrat” due to his moderate stance on abortion.
“My faith is clear: abortion must be rare and safe,” he has previously stated.
In a letter to Trump, Cuellar’s daughters suggested their father’s stance on immigration may have contributed to his arrest.
They wrote that their father believed in “securing the border” and that his “independence and honesty” may have been the reason behind his indictment.
Trump appeared to agree, stating on Truth Social that Biden “went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH.”
This marks Trump’s third act of clemency this week.
He also pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was convicted in March 2024 of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. and possessing machine guns.
On Monday, Trump commuted the sentence of former investment manager David Gentile, who had recently begun serving a seven-year prison sentence for fraud.
Throughout his second term, the former president has pardoned or commuted the sentences of numerous individuals convicted of various types of fraud or financial crimes.
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