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By Dan Gooding and Shane Croucher
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Republican President Donald Trump said he will pardon Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, from bribery charges.
Cuellar "bravely spoke out against Open Borders, and the Biden Border 'Catastrophe,'" said Trump in a post on his Truth Social platform announcing the pardon.
"Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH," Trump said.
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Newsweek reached out to Cuellar's office for comment via email on Wednesday morning.
Cuellar later posted on X that he wanted to thank Trump for his decision, and God for standing with his family.
"This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas. This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains," Cuellar posted in part.
Why It Matters
Trump has alleged the Biden administration's Justice Department targeted him through politically-motivated prosecutions over recent years, and appeared to use a similar message when posting about Cuellar on Wednesday. Since his return to the White House, Trump's DOJ has overseen a handful of failed attempts to prosecute those who were critical of him during his time away from office.
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What To Know
In his Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump shared a letter from the Texas congressman's daughters, Christina and Catherine Cuellar, who said the case against their parents had taken "a deep emotional and financial toll" on the entire family.
"It is unAmerican and, as I previously stated, the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy! They will attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda, an Agenda that, if left unchecked, will obliterate our magnificent Country," Trump wrote.
"Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight—Your nightmare is finally over!"
Federal authorities had charged Cuellar, 69, and his wife with accepting thousands of dollars in exchange for the congressman advancing the interests of an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico. Cuellar is accused of agreeing to influence legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the U.S. House.
Cuellar has said he and his wife are innocent.
The couple’s trial had been set to begin next April.
Cuellar has served in Congress for more than 20 years, and his district stretches from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas.
Cuellar is not the only Democrat Trump has pardoned this year. In February, he pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, five years after commuting his sentence in a political corruption case.
Like in Cuellar’s case, Trump suggested that New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, faced federal corruption charges because he made comments critical of former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Trump did not pardon Adams, but after Trump took office, the Justice Department moved to drop the case against the mayor, who had begun working with the Republican administration on immigration issues.
A top Justice Department official, who was also Trump’s defense lawyer in several of his cases, stepped in to seek dismissal in the case.
What People Are Saying
Christina and Catherin Cuellar, in their letter to President Donald Trump: "We still believe in justice. We still believe in America—a country built on truth, fairness, and compassion, even during the hardest of times. This experience has shown us how easily good people and good intentions can be misunderstood and how deeply that can affect a family. Still, we hold onto our faith and keep praying that the justice system we were taught to respect will reflect that same fairness and humanity.
"We also believe that our father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to protecting the people of South Texas and securing the border from the policies of the previous administration."
Representative Henry Cuellar, in a post on X on Wednesday: "I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas. This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."
Reilly Richardson, National Republican Congressional Committee, speaking about Cuellar's reelection campaign to The Texas Tribune earlier this week: "Cuellar is broke, indicted, and completely out of touch with South Texans’ values. Cuellar is spending his time fighting off corruption charges and his own political headaches. Voters in South Texas are done with the excuses, and they’ll send him packing next November."
What's Next
Trump said Cuellar and his wife were now pardoned. It remains to be seen whether the president will pardon others he views as having been wrongly prosecuted by the previous administration.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 12/03/25, 4:32 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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