Trump pardons Democrat Henry Cuellar, claiming Biden political attack

Republican US Congressman Henry Cuellar, who was accused of being targeted by the administration of former US President Joe Biden, has received a pardon from Donald Trump.

Trump has used pardons frequently since taking office, but his pardon of Cuellar, who was charged with money laundering and foreign influence in 2024, stands out. Republican Trump has hardly ever used his position to aid Democratic Party opponents.

Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Cuellar and his wife had been “speaking the truth” about how the Biden administration handled the southern US border.

Cuellar, whose district borders the US-Mexico border, had been one of the most vocal Democrats criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration policies and messaging.

Trump refuted his claims that Biden abused the US Department of Justice to punish his political rivals in his post. Trump has been accused of doing that by critics, though.

Trump retorted the Congressman and even his wife, Imelda, for speaking the truth, according to Trump.

I’m hereby announcing my full and unwavering support for Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar and Imelda because of these details, and other factors as well.

Trump emailed the congressman a personal note, “Your nightmare is finally over,” noting that he didn’t know him.

A letter asking for pardon that appeared to be from Cuellar’s children was included in the post. They also questioned how their “father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to the beginning of this case.”

Cuellar and his wife were accused of being involved in “bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering” by federal authorities.

In exchange for influence-peddling in Congress and the executive branch, the pair allegedly accepted bribes worth up to $600,000 from two foreign entities, including the government of Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico.

Imelda Cuellar’s alleged ownership of the money was allegedly through shell companies.

Cuellar and his wife’s innocence has been maintained despite the fact that the trial is scheduled to begin in April 2026.

He thanked Trump for “taking the time to examine the circumstances” of his case in a post on X.