Trump Pardons Henry Cuellar Amid Calls for Bipartisanship

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would pardon Representative Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar. The decision was met with mixed reactions from lawmakers.

Cuellar is accused in a federal case involving bribery and conspiracy related to political influence. While specific charges were dismissed by the president’s intervention, some have questioned the move as politically motivated.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed support for Trump’s action regarding his constituent. “The reality is this indictment was very thin to begin with,” Jeffries stated during a CNN appearance on Wednesday. He described the case against Cuellar as weak and noted that the pardon might have been necessary since it would likely have been overturned eventually by higher courts.

Jeffries praised the president’s decision, calling it timely for a divided nation seeking unity. “Congressman Cuellar is a beloved member of the House,” he emphasized, highlighting the congressman’s ties to his community in Laredo ahead of Tuesday’s announcement from Trump.