Trump issues pardon for conservative Texas Democrat indicted for bribery

President Donald Trump issued another major pardon on Wednesday morning through Truth Social — this time, for a conservative Democratic congressman in Texas indicted for bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy.

In his announcement, Trump baselessly claimed that Cuellar was the victim of a hit job because he supports border security.

"For years, the Biden Administration weaponized the Justice System against their Political Opponents, and anyone who disagreed with them," wrote Trump. "One of the clearest examples of this was when 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, and the Biden Border 'Catastrophe.' Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH. It is unAmerican and, as I previously stated, the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy!"

"They will attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda, an Agenda that, if left unchecked, will obliterate our magnificent Country," Trump continued. "Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!"

Federal prosecutors built an extensive case against Cuellar, alleging that he and his wife took over $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company held by a Mexican bank and the government of Azerbaijan, in exchange for promoting its interests through his official position.

Cuellar represented a South Texas district which is one of the five extensively targeted by GOP state lawmakers in a mid-decade gerrymander intended to net them extra seats. He has consistently won the district by much greater margins than national Democrats do.