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12h ago

Trump Rebukes Cuellar’s ‘Lack of Loyalty’ After Pardon as He Runs as a Democrat

Cuellar says he will remain a conservative Democrat after the pardon citing duty to country over party.

FILE - Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, speaks during a hearing of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations on Capitol Hill, April 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
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)

Overview

  • Trump blasted Cuellar on Truth Social for seeking reelection as a Democrat days after receiving a full pardon, calling it a “lack of LOYALTY” and vowing “no more Mr. Nice guy.”
  • Cuellar filed to run for a 12th term as a Democrat and said on Fox News that he does not vote party, adding that he prayed for the president and wants the country to succeed.
  • The pardons for Henry and Imelda Cuellar ended a 2024 federal case alleging roughly $600,000 in bribes tied to an Azerbaijani energy company and a Mexican bank, after a judge had already dismissed foreign-agent counts and trial dates slid into 2026.
  • Trump cited a letter from Cuellar’s daughters and the congressman’s criticism of Biden-era border policies as reasons for granting clemency, while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the result the right outcome.
  • Coverage also notes reporting that Cuellar has discussed assisting House Republicans’ inquiries into the prosecutors on his case, and that Texas’ redrawn congressional map adds pressure to his South Texas district in 2026.