Cuellar Appreciates Trump’s Pardon
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a moderate Democrat from South Texas, shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s recent pardons and whether he might change political parties. “I’m very grateful to the president and also to God. It’s been a tough time for my family—my daughters and my wife—but we’ve pulled through,” Cuellar remarked during an interview.
When asked if he agreed with Trump’s claim of being targeted by the Biden administration, Cuellar replied, “Absolutely.” He mentioned that he had appeared over 150 times on national media, often criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of border issues. “I live there and wanted them to understand, but they didn’t listen,” he noted.
Cuellar expressed skepticism about the timing of the indictments against him and his wife, indicating it seemed suspicious—especially with a primary election approaching. He recalled a call from Trump’s team during the investigation, signaling his concern.
As for changing parties, Cuellar affirmed, “Nothing has changed. I’m a conservative blue dog. I’ll continue to work with the president where we can find common ground.” He emphasized his commitment to bipartisanship and mentioned that some members of Trump’s family had reached out to collaborate on certain issues.
“We’re focused on our work and ready to move forward, but I really want to thank the president for this pardon,” he concluded.
In a recent announcement, Trump granted a “full and unconditional pardon” to both Henry and his wife, Imelda.
Just a few months prior, the Justice Department under Biden had indicted the Cuellars, alleging they accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities. This legal action came as Cuellar began publicly criticizing Biden’s border policies.
Trump commented on the situation, accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system against political opponents. “This is un-American,” he stated, further arguing that it represents a broader threat to democracy posed by the current administration. The former president’s words expressed a clear sympathy for Cuellar, suggesting the indictment was politically motivated.
Cuellar had previously warned his fellow Democrats, including Biden, about the critical nature of border security in upcoming elections. He suggested that addressing this issue might be essential for political success.
After the pardon, Cuellar expressed gratitude for Trump’s leadership, saying it allowed him to move forward positively. “We have a clean slate now,” he remarked, underscoring his determination to focus on the challenges ahead for South Texas.
