Trump, 79, Explodes at Lawmaker Immediately After Pardon

On Sunday, Representative Henry Cuellar found himself back in national headlines. This time the spotlight was on the pardon he received and on President Donald Trump’s surprise that Cuellar will remain a Democrat.

Trump posted on Truth Social in his usual blunt style. He wrote, “Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like. Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!” Many readers took the post as both a rebuke and a warning.

Trump said he signed the pardon “without talking to Cuellar first,” and later complained that he expected more in return. The tone suggested he thought a pardon might buy political gratitude. That is not how party membership works, but it makes for a dramatic headline.

Cuellar and his wife Imelda were indicted last year on charges that prosecutors say involved close to $600, 000 in alleged bribes tied to an Azerbaijani state energy firm and a Mexican bank. The couple has denied wrongdoing and called the case political. The pardon came before the case went to trial.

In a Fox News interview, Cuellar explained his choice plainly. “I don’t vote party,” he said. “I vote for what’s right for the country.” When asked if he would consider switching parties, he added a short line that left no room for doubt. “Look, I’m a Democrat.” Those words made clear he plans to run again under his current banner.

Cuellar was first elected to Congress in 2004 and has a reputation as the House’s most conservative Democrat. He has beaten progressive primary challengers before and has long argued that his voters want practical results more than party labels. His district sits on the Texas border and has been a battleground for both parties.

Trump framed the pardon as a rebuke of what he calls the Biden era weaponization of the Justice Department. He told Cuellar in another post, “Henry, I don’t know you but you can sleep well tonight. Your nightmare is finally over.” That line was meant to be comforting and to underline Trump’s view that many prosecutions are political.

Democrats hope to retake the House in the 2026 midterms. Republicans, who hold a narrow majority now, have already redrawn Texas maps to favor their party. For the moment, Cuellar says the pardon gives him a clean slate and a clear plan. He will run as a Democrat and, so far, he has no plans to change his party label. That decision seems to have disappointed one powerful fan.

Featured image via X screengrab