Trump Regrets Pardoning Rep. Henry Cuellar After Democrat Announces Reelection Bid
President Donald Trump is expressing sharp regret over his decision to pardon Texas Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar, just days after the congressman announced he would seek reelection — as a Democrat.
Cuellar, who represents the competitive 28th Congressional District in South Texas, had faced serious federal charges for allegedly accepting $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan’s state oil company and a Mexican bank. But Trump granted him a full pardon last week, citing what he called a politically motivated prosecution driven by Cuellar’s past criticism of President Biden’s border policies.
Trump, however, appeared blindsided when Cuellar quickly confirmed he would run for reelection — under the same party that impeached Trump twice and, in Trump’s view, orchestrated the original indictment.
“Only a short time after signing the Pardon, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that he will be ‘running’ for Congress again… as a Democrat,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Such a lack of LOYALTY… Oh well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”
A Missed Opportunity in a Key District
Cuellar’s seat has long been a prime GOP target. The Cook Political Report currently ranks Texas’ 28th District as one of just six Democrat-held House seats labeled a “toss-up.” Trump’s decision to pardon Cuellar, rather than allow the case to proceed and potentially flip the seat, baffled many Republicans.
The 70-year-old lawmaker had built a reputation as one of the last moderately pro-life Democrats in Congress and was an outspoken critic of open-border policies. That stance, according to a letter Trump received from Cuellar’s daughters, may have made him a target under Biden’s Justice Department.
The letter reportedly played a major role in Trump’s decision. In it, Cuellar’s daughters pleaded for mercy, claiming their father’s “independence and honesty” had contributed to the politically charged indictment. Trump said he was moved by their message, despite having no direct communication with the family.
Cuellar’s History With Trump: Complicated
Cuellar’s relationship with Trump has always been complicated. While he has criticized Biden’s border stance in recent years, Cuellar also voted twice to impeach Trump during his first term. Despite that history, Trump opted to issue a full, unconditional pardon.
Cuellar and his wife Imelda had been accused of accepting bribes through “sham consulting contracts” and shell companies. Federal prosecutors said the deals were designed to funnel money from foreign interests to Cuellar’s household, and that Imelda Cuellar performed “little to no legitimate work” under the arrangement.
Trump, who has repeatedly slammed politically motivated prosecutions, defended the pardon at the time as a stand against a corrupt system.
Democrats Cheer the Pardon
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a staunch Democrat, praised Trump’s decision, calling the original indictment “very thin.”
“The outcome was exactly the right outcome,” Jeffries said, while questioning Trump’s motives.
Cuellar’s return to the campaign trail complicates Republican hopes for 2026. Trump, who once saw Cuellar as a potential political ally due to his pro-border-security rhetoric, now sees the move as a betrayal.
“The Dems were vicious,” Trump said, “all because Henry strongly wanted, correctly, BORDER SECURITY!”
Looking Ahead
Trump’s post-pardon backlash is likely to reignite debates within the GOP about political loyalty, clemency, and strategic decision-making. For now, Cuellar remains on the ballot — and Republicans must decide whether to mount a new challenge against the man Trump just rescued.