In his latest pardon, the US president claimed that his predecessor, Joe Biden, targeted Congressman Cuellar for criticizing US border policy.
Published December 3, 2025
US President Donald Trump pardoned Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar, saying he had been a target of former President Joe Biden’s administration.
President Trump has used his pardon power liberally since taking office, but Wednesday’s pardon for Mr. Cuellar, who was indicted along with his wife in 2024 on foreign influence and money laundering charges, stands out. Trump, a Republican, has rarely used his power to support his Democratic rivals.
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In a post on Truth Social, President Trump claimed that the Cuellars were targeted for “speaking the truth” about the Biden administration’s control of the U.S. southern border.
Cuellar, whose district borders the U.S.-Mexico border, has been one of the most vocal Democrats criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration message and policies.
In his post, Trump reiterated his claim that Biden used the U.S. Department of Justice to punish political opponents. But critics have accused President Trump of doing just that.
“Sleepy Joe went after a congressman and even went after a congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, just for telling the truth,” President Trump said.
“In light of these and other facts, I hereby announce a full and unconditional pardon for our beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar and Imelda.”
President Trump added a personal message to the congressman: “Henry, I don’t know about you, but you’ll sleep well tonight. Your nightmare is finally over!”
The post also included a letter, apparently from Cuéllar’s children, asking for clemency. In it, they also speculated that “the father’s independence and integrity may have contributed to the beginning of this incident.”
Federal prosecutors had alleged that Cuellar and his wife were involved in two schemes involving “bribery, illicit foreign influence, and money laundering.”
The two are accused of accepting bribes worth up to $600,000 from two foreign entities, the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank, in exchange for greater influence in Congress and the executive branch.
The funds were allegedly laundered through a shell company owned by Imelda Cuellar.
Mr. Cuellar maintains his and his wife’s innocence. He did not immediately respond to the pardon.
His trial was scheduled to begin in April 2026.
