US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, December 3, that he has issued a “full and unconditional pardon” to Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda. The announcement came in a Truth Social post in which Trump criticized what he called a “weaponized” justice system under President Joe Biden.
The Justice Department had charged Congressman Cuellar in 2024 with bribery and acting as a foreign agent in a case involving alleged payments from an Azerbaijani state-owned oil company and a Mexican bank. Cuellar was one of the most outspoken opponents of the Biden administration's handling of a record number of migrants entering the United States from Mexico.
In his Truth Social message, Trump accused Democrats of working to “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.”
“Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda,” Trump said in the post, referring to the congressman’s wife.
Sharing Trump’s statement on X, Cuellar offered his gratitude: “I want to thank President Trump 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. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas. This pardon gives us a clean slate. 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.”
Henry Cuellar is a long-serving US Congressman representing Texas’ 28th Congressional District, a region that spans San Antonio, Laredo, and multiple rural communities along the US-Mexico border. The 70-year-old known for his bipartisan approach and deep policy expertise, Cuellar is one of the most senior members of the House Appropriations Committee, where he influences federal spending on homeland security, defense, and veterans’ programs.
Born in Laredo as the eldest of eight children in a migrant farmworker family, Cuellar’s life reflects a classic American upward-mobility story. The first in his family to attend college, he went on to earn an unusually extensive academic record—including degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M International University, and most recently a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College.
Before entering Congress, Cuellar worked as an attorney, customs broker, and educator, and he held roles as a Texas state representative and Texas Secretary of State. In Washington, he is recognized for his pragmatic, bipartisan reputation and focus on border security, education, trade, and military issues.
Outside politics, Cuellar is a third-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and enjoys time with his family, pets, and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, grounded in the rural Texas values he grew up with.
U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, have been indicted in the Southern District of Texas on charges related to bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering, according to a Justice Department announcement on May 3, 2024. The couple, both from Laredo, Texas, made their initial court appearance before US Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.
Federal prosecutors allege that from 2014 to 2021, the Cuellars accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign sources and said that he acted as a foreign agent.
Alleged Quid Pro Quo
In exchange for the payments, Congressman Cuellar allegedly:
Both Henry and Imelda Cuellar face multiple felony counts, including:
The Justice Department had charged Congressman Cuellar in 2024 with bribery and acting as a foreign agent in a case involving alleged payments from an Azerbaijani state-owned oil company and a Mexican bank. Cuellar was one of the most outspoken opponents of the Biden administration's handling of a record number of migrants entering the United States from Mexico.
In his Truth Social message, Trump accused Democrats of working to “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.”
“Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda,” Trump said in the post, referring to the congressman’s wife.
Henry Cuellar thanked Trump
Sharing Trump’s statement on X, Cuellar offered his gratitude: “I want to thank President Trump 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. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas. This pardon gives us a clean slate. 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.”
Who is Henry Cuellar?
Henry Cuellar is a long-serving US Congressman representing Texas’ 28th Congressional District, a region that spans San Antonio, Laredo, and multiple rural communities along the US-Mexico border. The 70-year-old known for his bipartisan approach and deep policy expertise, Cuellar is one of the most senior members of the House Appropriations Committee, where he influences federal spending on homeland security, defense, and veterans’ programs.
Born in Laredo as the eldest of eight children in a migrant farmworker family, Cuellar’s life reflects a classic American upward-mobility story. The first in his family to attend college, he went on to earn an unusually extensive academic record—including degrees from Georgetown University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M International University, and most recently a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College.
Before entering Congress, Cuellar worked as an attorney, customs broker, and educator, and he held roles as a Texas state representative and Texas Secretary of State. In Washington, he is recognized for his pragmatic, bipartisan reputation and focus on border security, education, trade, and military issues.
Outside politics, Cuellar is a third-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and enjoys time with his family, pets, and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, grounded in the rural Texas values he grew up with.
Allegations against Henry Cuellar and his wife
U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, have been indicted in the Southern District of Texas on charges related to bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering, according to a Justice Department announcement on May 3, 2024. The couple, both from Laredo, Texas, made their initial court appearance before US Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.
Federal prosecutors allege that from 2014 to 2021, the Cuellars accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign sources and said that he acted as a foreign agent.
- A state-owned oil and gas company controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and
- A Mexican bank headquartered in Mexico City.
Alleged Quid Pro Quo
In exchange for the payments, Congressman Cuellar allegedly:
- Used his congressional office to influence US foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan, and
- Took steps to affect legislative activity and pressure senior US officials in ways beneficial to the Mexican bank.
Both Henry and Imelda Cuellar face multiple felony counts, including:
- Conspiracy to commit bribery and act as an unregistered foreign agent (up to 5 years each)
- Bribery of a federal official (up to 15 years each)
- Conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years each)
- Acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal (up to 2 years each)
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering (up to 20 years)
- Money laundering (up to 20 years per count)
