Donald Trump Pardons Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar in Bribery and Conspiracy Case
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump announced on December 3, 2025, that he granted a full pardon to U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, as well as to Cuellar’s wife, Imelda Cuellar, concluding a long-running federal bribery and conspiracy legal case that had shadowed the congressman for several years.
In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump characterized the legal proceedings against Cuellar as politically motivated, asserting that the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden was weaponized to target the congressman and his family. Trump stated, “Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH.” The former president also framed the situation as part of a broader political conflict, accusing the Democratic Party leadership of undermining democracy with their “far left Agenda.”
Cuellar, who has served more than two decades representing a South Texas district stretching from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, faced multiple federal charges, including bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy. Prosecutors accused Cuellar and his wife of accepting nearly $600,000 in exchange for leveraging his position to advance the interests of foreign entities, notably an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a Mexican bank. Specific allegations included agreeing to push favorable legislation and delivering a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the House floor.
Cuellar has consistently denied all criminal allegations, maintaining his and his wife’s innocence throughout the legal process. The couple’s federal trial had been scheduled to begin in April 2026.
In response to the pardon announcement, Representative Cuellar expressed gratitude toward Trump for the clemency. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Cuellar stated, “I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas.” He simultaneously filed for reelection as a Democrat, quelling speculation about a possible party switch.
The pardon, according to Trump, also applied to Imelda Cuellar, reflecting the former president’s broader approach since returning to office in January 2025. Trump has pursued an extensive clemency campaign, issuing over 1,500 pardons and commutations, including those to January 6 defendants, white-collar criminals, political allies, and now a sitting Democratic congressman. Notably, in October, Trump commuted the prison sentence of Republican Representative George Santos related to wire fraud and identity theft.
Trump included in his post a letter from Cuellar’s children, who described their parents as “good, decent people who have spent their lives giving more than they’ve taken”. They suggested that their father’s independence and honesty, especially on border policy issues, may have been a factor in triggering the case against him.
Cuellar has been a focal point in Texas Republican campaigns, with his legal difficulties frequently cited as a political weakness. Trump’s pardon effectively neutralizes one of the GOP’s most potent lines of attack in an increasingly competitive district, recently energized by Republican challengers drawn to Cuellar’s South Texas seat amid redistricting shifts.
The political implications of the pardon extend beyond Cuellar’s case, highlighting the president’s continued influence on national politics through clemency powers and the weaponization narrative surrounding the justice system.
Reported by Associated Press, Texas Tribune, Newsmax, and Politico.