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10h ago

Trump Berates Cuellar for Staying a Democrat After Pardon

Cuellar’s decision to run as a Democrat reframes a pardon that closed his corruption case but not the political fight around it.

U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales, left, and Henry Cuellar, right, participate in a discussion on taking politics out of problem solving during the Texas Tribune Festival in 2023. Cuellar, the controversial South Texas lawmaker, might not vote with the national party on every issue, but Democrats will need his help if they want to flip the U.S. House.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) questions Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on the DHS budget request on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. REUTERS/Michael A. McCoy/File Photo
House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) questions Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 06, 2025 in Washington, D.C.; U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Reception at the U.S. Department of State on December 06, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
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Overview

  • President Trump on Sunday blasted Rep. Henry Cuellar for announcing a reelection bid as a Democrat days after receiving a full pardon, calling the move a "lack of loyalty" in Truth Social posts.
  • Cuellar filed to run for another term as a self-described conservative Democrat and said he will work across party lines after thanking Trump for the clemency.
  • House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly endorsed the outcome as the right result, reflecting Democrats’ interest in retaining a competitive South Texas seat.
  • Cuellar has urged House Republicans to investigate the prosecutors in his case and, according to media reports, has been in contact with Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan about potential inquiries.
  • The pardon erased a 2024 indictment alleging roughly $600,000 in payments tied to Azerbaijani and Mexican-linked entities, after a judge dropped foreign-agent charges in August and the trial had been pushed to 2026.