Bribery-charged Dem to run for re-election after pardon from 'tremendous leader' Trump

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) filed to run for re-election as a Democrat after President Donald Trump pardoned him after he was charged with bribery and conspiracy.

Following Trump's pardon — which came before trial — Cuellar told reporters that "nothing has changed" as he filed to run for office.

The Democratic lawmaker also praised Trump for his "tremendous leadership" and "for taking the time to look at the facts."

"This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas," he wrote. "This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone."

"Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."

In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump noted that Cuellar had "bravely spoken out against Open Borders."

In July, Trump's Justice Department said it was moving forward with a bribery case brought against Cuellar during the Biden administration.

According to the New York Times, Matthew R. Galeotti, an assistant attorney general, determined that the bribery charges against the lawmaker and his wife were "firmly supported by evidence."

Prosecutors had claimed Cuellar and his wife had accepted bribes from an energy company and a bank connected to Azerbaijan in exchange for acts by the congressman.