Overview
- Trump announced on Truth Social a full, unconditional pardon for Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife, Imelda, terminating their federal prosecution.
- Prosecutors had alleged the couple accepted about $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan state-owned energy company and a Mexico-based bank, laundered through sham consulting contracts and shell companies.
- The indictment listed 14 counts including conspiracy, bribery and money laundering, and a trial had been scheduled for April 2026 before the pardon.
- Cuellar, who pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence, thanked the president, filed for reelection on Wednesday and said he will remain a Democrat.
- Trump justified the move by alleging a Biden-era ‘weaponized’ DOJ targeted Cuellar over border policy criticism, a claim reported without supporting evidence, as the House Ethics Committee inquiry continues.