Trump Endorses Tano Tijerina in Texas Congressional Race

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump expressed his support for Tano Tijerina in the race for Texas’ 28th Congressional District, while criticizing Democrat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who previously received a presidential pardon and is running for re-election.

Trump shared his thoughts on Truth Social, saying, “For reasons I don’t know, the fact that Henry Cuellar is running against Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party seems like an act of great dishonesty and, perhaps more importantly, the act of a fool who will immediately revert to the radical left Democratic Party, whose views differ from his, but are not strong enough or strong enough to be true Republicans.”

He noted that, if given the chance again, he would still have granted clemency to Cuellar, insisting that the legal actions against him were politically charged. However, he strongly criticized Cuellar’s choice to pursue re-election.

“Henry should not be allowed to serve in Congress again,” Trump argued, before endorsing Tijerina, a Webb County judge who has switched from being a Democrat to a Republican.

Trump praised Tijerina, stating, “Tano’s views are stronger, better, and far less tainted than Henry’s. He has my full support to be the next representative for Texas’ 28th Congressional District. He will never let you down!”

The former president previously pardoned Cuellar in December following an indictment by the Justice Department. Cuellar was accused in May 2024 of taking around $600,000 in bribes from a state oil and gas company in Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank in return for influencing U.S. foreign policy.

Cuellar and his wife faced several charges, including bribery and money laundering. After receiving the pardon, Cuellar thanked Trump for his “tremendous leadership,” claiming it allowed South Texas to progress.

Cuellar, who has been in Congress since 2005, is expected to run for re-election in November 2024.