Trump suggests Rep. Cuellar, pardoned Democratic congressman, ought to have switched events after clemency grant

President Trump slammed Rep. Henry Cuellar on Sunday for what he known as “an absence of loyalty” as a result of the Democratic congressman introduced his plans to run once more as a Democrat, reasonably than change to the Republican get together, in his subsequent bid to signify Texas within the U.S. Home.

In a social media put up, Mr. Trump urged that he could have anticipated Cuellar to assist Republicans keep their slim majority within the Home throughout the 2026 midterm elections after the congressman was granted clemency.

Cuellar is a Democrat and has represented Texas’ twenty eighth district as a member of that get together since 2005. Mr. Trump lately pardoned him and his spouse, Imelda Cuellar, who have been each indicted final yr on federal bribery fees. Their two daughters, Christina and Catherine, had despatched Mr. Trump a letter in November asking that he pardon their dad and mom.

The president claimed the allegations towards them resulted from political focusing on by the Justice Division underneath former President Joe Biden, writing in a number of Fact Social posts about assaults on Cuellar from throughout the Democratic Get together over his views on immigration and border safety.

Shortly after Mr. Trump issued the pardons, Cuellar introduced his choice to launch one other congressional marketing campaign, nonetheless as a Democratic candidate. In a Fact Social put up on Sunday about Cuellar, Mr. Trump slammed the congressman for not switching events within the wake of the president’s favor.

“Solely a short while after signing the Pardon, Congressman Henry Cuellar introduced that he will likely be ‘operating’ for Congress once more, within the Nice State of Texas (a state the place I obtained the very best variety of votes ever recorded!), as a Democrat, persevering with to work with the identical Radical left Scum that simply weeks earlier than wished him and his spouse to spend the remainder of their lives in Jail – And provably nonetheless do!” wrote Mr. Trump, characterizing Cuellar’s transfer as “such an absence of LOYALTY.”

“Subsequent time, no extra Mr. Good man!” the president added.

Cuellar mentioned the pardon on Sunday throughout an look on Fox Information’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” saying he believed the indictment towards him and his spouse was an act of retaliation by Biden administration officers over his criticism of the previous president’s border insurance policies.

“I now take a look at all of the proof, and every thing, positively I really feel that I used to be weaponized, that he [former President Biden] used the division to go after myself and my household,” mentioned Cuellar. “And I will let you know one thing, in the event that they need to come after me as a result of I used to be a critic about open borders, that is one factor. However you do not carry the household in. You simply do not do this.”

CBS Information contacted Cuellar’s workplace for touch upon Mr. Trump’s Fact Social put up however didn’t obtain a direct response.

A celebration change would have been an sudden bonus for Republicans after the GOP-run Legislature redrew the state’s congressional districts this yr at Mr. Trump’s behest. Cuellar’s South Texas district, which incorporates components of metro San Antonio, was not one of many Democratic districts that Republicans modified considerably.