US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to pardon Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, who was indicted last year for accepting bribes totaling around $600,000 (£478,000). In a post on social media, Trump expressed that he would provide a full and unconditional pardon to Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, who is also facing charges in the case.
“Henry, I don't know you, but you can sleep well tonight - your nightmare is finally over!” Trump wrote. He argued that Cuellar's allegations were politically motivated, stemming from his criticisms of the Biden administration's border policies. Cuellar and his wife assert their innocence concerning the accusations.
This revelation came shortly after Cuellar filed for re-election in Texas' 28th congressional district, dispelling rumors that he might switch parties to join the Republicans. The indictment, issued by Biden's Justice Department, accused Cuellar of receiving illicit funds from foreign sources in exchange for influencing US foreign policy favorably towards Azerbaijan and advocating for a Mexican bank.
The indictment pointed out that Imelda Cuellar's companies allegedly laundered the bribe money, which was used for personal expenses, including credit card payments and extravagant purchases.
Despite being a Democratic congressman, Cuellar’s political positions often align closer to more conservative viewpoints, particularly on issues like abortion. He has been labeled the last pro-life Democrat within the party.
The Cuellar family has suggested that the criminal charges were a direct result of the congressman’s strong views on securing the border. Trump echoed these sentiments in his statement, asserting that the charges were attempts to silence Cuellar for speaking the truth.
This pardon marks Trump's third act of clemency this week, following his decisions to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and commute the sentence of David Gentile, a former investment manager convicted of fraud.
