Trump pardons Democrat Henry Cuellar, claiming Biden political attack

In his latest pardon, the US president claimed his predecessor Joe Biden targeted Congressman Cuellar for his criticism of US border policy.Published On 3 Dec 2025United States President Donald Trump has pardoned Democratic US Congressman Henry Cuellar, claiming he had been targeted by the administration of former President Joe Biden.While Trump has made liberal use of his pardon authority since taking office, his Wednesday pardoning of Cuellar, who was indicted in 2024 alongside his wife on foreign influence and money laundering charges, stands out. Trump, a Republican, has rarely used his power to aid members of the opposing Democratic Party.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Is Trump’s pardon of Binance boss Changpeng Zhao a conflict of interest?list 2 of 3Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza trucelist 3 of 3Trump pardons Giuliani, others accused of trying to overturn 2020 defeatend of listIn a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Cuellar and his wife had been targeted for “speaking the TRUTH” about the Biden administration’s management of the southern US border.Cuellar, whose district abuts the US-Mexico border, had been one of the most vocal Democratic critics of the Biden administration’s immigration messaging and policies.In his post, Trump re-upped his claims that Biden used the US Department of Justice to punish his political opponents. Critics, however, have accused Trump of doing just that.“Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH,” Trump said.“Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda.”Trump added a personal message for the congressman: “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!”The post included a letter that appeared to be from Cuellar’s children requesting the pardon. In it, they also speculated that their “father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began”.Federal prosecutors had alleged that Cuellar and his wife were involved in two schemes involving “bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering”.