President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will grant a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Cuellar’s wife, Imelda, wiping away the federal bribery and money-laundering case filed against them last year.
Trump revealed the decision on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of targeting the couple for political reasons and claiming they sought to “attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda. Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda,” later telling the congressman, “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!”
Trump’s announcement included a letter written by the Cuellars’ daughters, Christina and Catherine, who urged the president to show mercy, saying they “believe that our father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began.” They referenced Trump’s own legal battles, writing that they prayed for him because “behind the headlines, there are real people who hurt, who love, and who still hope for better days.”
Cuellar expressed gratitude in a post on X, thanking the president “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” adding that the pardon “gives us a clean slate” and allows him to return his focus to serving South Texas: “The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
The allegations against Cuellar spanned 2014 to 2021, and two political operatives connected to him — former campaign manager Mina Colin Strother and associate Florencio “Lencho” Rendon — pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.
The pardon follows a lengthy case in which federal prosecutors accused the Cuellars of accepting at least $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities — an oil and gas company tied to the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank — and laundering the payments through shell companies linked to Imelda Cuellar. Prosecutors alleged the payments were routed through sham consulting contracts and that Imelda “performed little or no legitimate work” for the money. The indictment claimed the congressman agreed “to use the power and prestige of his office to advance” the interests of Azerbaijan and the foreign bank, including influencing legislation, adding favorable report language, and delivering a House floor speech.
The coupe pleaded not guilty, with a judge dismissing two charges last August, though a trial had been scheduled for next year. In September, a federal judge rejected an effort to dismiss the indictment under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.
Cuellar, first elected in 2005, stepped aside from his appropriations leadership post after being charged. He has won reelection repeatedly, though his South Texas district grew slightly more Republican after mid-decade redistricting. As of this week, he has not yet filed for reelection despite signaling plans to run before Monday’s deadline.
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