WASHINGTON (AP) — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump granted pardons to Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, in connection with a federal bribery and conspiracy investigation. Trump cited the case as an example of a “weaponized” justice system.
Trump, facing his own legal challenges, claimed on social media that the charges against Cuellar and his wife were politically motivated, alleging without proof that they were targeted due to Cuellar’s criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Trump highlighted Cuellar’s opposition to “Open Borders” in a social media post, accusing Biden’s administration of retaliating against the congressman and his wife for expressing their views.
Federal prosecutors had accused Cuellar and his wife of accepting substantial sums of money for promoting an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company’s interests and a Mexican bank. Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislation beneficial to Azerbaijan and deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech in the U.S. House.
The Cuellars have maintained their innocence, with their trial initially scheduled for next April. “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight,” Trump stated in his social media post accompanying the pardon announcement. “Your nightmare is finally over!”
Cuellar thanks Trump for the pardon
Rep. Cuellar, addressing reporters outside his congressional office, expressed gratitude to Trump in a brief statement. “I think the facts have been clear about this, but I would also say I want to thank God for standing during this very difficult time with my family and I,” he remarked. “Now we can get back to work. Nothing has changed. We will continue working hard.” When asked about any potential party switch, Cuellar replied, “No, like I said, nothing has changed.”
A spokesperson for President Biden did not respond to requests for comment.
The U.S. Constitution grants the president wide-ranging pardon powers for federal offenses. Pardons do not expunge criminal records but often serve as acts of mercy or justice, sometimes aiding public welfare.
Among Trump’s pardons this year were several high-profile individuals, generally aligned with him politically. These included dozens of Republicans tied to efforts to contest his 2020 electoral defeat to Biden, as well as over 1,500 individuals implicated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Other recipients included a former Republican governor of Connecticut, a former GOP congressman, and reality TV personalities convicted of financial crimes.
Alongside Cuellar, Trump pardoned Timothy J. Leiweke, a veteran in the sports and entertainment sector, who faced charges of allegedly “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process” for an Austin, Texas university arena. Leiweke, who pled not guilty, received what Trump described as “a full and conditional pardon.”
Cuellar’s daughters sought a pardon for him
In his social media post, Trump included a letter from Cuellar’s daughters, Christina and Catherine, dated November 12, seeking clemency for their parents. “When you and your family faced your own challenges, we understood that pain in a very human way,” they wrote. “We watched from afar through the eyes of daughters who knew what it felt like to see parents under fire.” Cuellar acknowledged his daughters’ efforts, stating, “I know that my daughters sent a letter, but letters are sent not knowing what’s going to happen on that.”
Eric Reed, one of Cuellar’s attorneys, mentioned that a substantial presentation was made to the Justice Department months ago, advocating for charge dismissal. He withheld details but emphasized that their arguments were non-political.
Imelda Cuellar’s legal representatives expressed their satisfaction with the pardon, reiterating her consistent claim of innocence.
Henry Cuellar remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, with proceedings initiated in May 2024 and reauthorized in July. The committee is coordinating with the Justice Department to balance dual investigations while upholding the House’s integrity.
With over 20 years in Congress, Cuellar, a moderate Democrat representing a Texas-Mexico border district, often diverges from his party on immigration and gun issues.
He has been vocal about the Biden administration’s handling of record migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border and is among the few Democrats in Congress opposing abortion rights.
When queried about potential discussions with GOP House leaders regarding the Democratic congressman’s pardon, Trump responded, “It didn’t matter,” emphasizing Cuellar’s stance on immigration.
“He represents the people on the border and he saw what was happening,” Trump commented. Cuellar has filed for reelection.
In another instance this year, Trump pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, five years after commuting his sentence in a political corruption case. Similar to Cuellar’s situation, Trump implied that New York City Mayor Eric Adams faced federal charges due to criticisms of Biden’s immigration policies. While Adams wasn’t pardoned, the Justice Department dropped the case after Adams collaborated with the Trump administration on immigration.
A senior Justice Department official, who also represented Trump in various cases, intervened to seek the case’s dismissal.
