House Democrat pardoned by Trump addresses whether he will switch parties

FIRST ON FOX: South Texas reasonable Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar revealed his emotions about being pardoned by President Donald Trump and questioned whether or not he’ll swap political events.

Chatting with Fox Information Digital, Cuellar mentioned: “I am definitely very grateful to the president, grateful to the president, and likewise very grateful to God. It was a really tough time for my household, my daughters and my spouse, a really tough time, however we received by this.”

Requested if he agrees with Trump that he was focused by the Biden administration, Cuellar mentioned: “Completely, completely.”

“We regarded up what number of occasions I used to be on nationwide tv and within the nationwide media; it was over 150 occasions. I used to be very crucial of the Biden administration,” he mentioned. “I attempted actually exhausting to make them perceive the border. I stay there, they only would not settle for it, after which I began criticizing them.”

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Consultant Henry Cuellar talks to reporters on the Capitol following a Home Democratic assembly on June 27, 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ roll name)

“The timing of this was very suspicious. Forty days earlier than the election, if you happen to bear in mind, I had that main race the place they spent $20 million on me and different issues that we will discuss, which makes it very, very suspicious. And do not forget, I had a authorized opinion from a legislation agency, I had two ethics opinions on this, and so they went forward and moved on from this topic.”

Cuellar mentioned the Trump staff known as him in the course of the investigation and requested, “What is going on on?”

Requested if he would swap events after the pardon, Cuellar mentioned: “Nothing has modified. I’m a conservative blue canine, I’ll work with the president as I’ve with him on the issues we are able to agree on. We will agree on many issues.”

“However as a really conservative Democrat, I am in an excellent place right here,” he continued, including, “However I am very bipartisan. I definitely wish to work with the federal government. A few of his individuals have even contacted me about working collectively on some issues, and we will work collectively.”

“We stay targeted on the work and we’re able to proceed the work, however once more I definitely wish to thank the president for this pardon,” he instructed Fox Information Digital.

Trump introduced a “full and unconditional pardon” for Cuellar and his spouse Imelda on Wednesday.

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President Donald Trump speaks throughout a breakfast with Senate and Home of Representatives Republicans within the State Eating Room of the White Home, November 5, 2025. (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)

The Justice Division beneath the Biden administration had charged Cuellar and his spouse in Could 2024 for allegedly taking about $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan-owned power firm and a Mexican financial institution. press release at the time.

The transfer got here after he started talking out in opposition to former President Joe Biden’s lax border insurance policies.

In his assertion saying the pardon, Trump wrote: “For years, the Biden administration weaponized the justice system in opposition to their political opponents and anybody who disagreed with them. One of many clearest examples of this was when Crooked Joe used the FBI and DOJ to “take out” a member of his personal social gathering after extremely revered Congressman Henry Cuellar courageously spoke out in opposition to open borders and the Biden border “disaster.”

“Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s fantastic spouse, Imelda, just because she spoke the TRUTH. It’s un-American and, as I mentioned earlier than, the Radical Left Democrats are an entire and utter risk to democracy! They are going to assault, rob, lie, cheat, destroy and decimate anybody who dares to oppose their far-left agenda, an agenda that, if left unchecked, will destroy our nice nation,” Trump continued. “Due to these and different information, I hereby announce my full and unconditional PARDON to beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar and Imelda. Henry, I do not know you, however you’ll be able to sleep nicely tonight – your nightmare is lastly over!”

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In January 2024, Cuellar warned fellow Democrats, together with President Biden, to arrange for border safety to be one of many high election points that 12 months. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photos/AP Photograph/Eric Homosexual, File)

In January 2024, Cuellar warned fellow Democrats, together with President Biden, to arrange border safety to be one of the vital necessary election points within the 2024 cycle.

Talking of Biden, he mentioned: “It’s politically within the president’s greatest curiosity to return ahead with an answer within the discipline of border safety.”

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In a press release after the pardon, Cuellar mentioned, “I wish to thank President Trump for his nice management and for taking the time to have a look at the information.”

“I thank God for standing with me and my household throughout this tough time. This resolution clears the air and permits us to maneuver ahead in South Texas,” he added. “This pardon offers us a clear slate. The noise is gone. The work stays. And I plan to sort out it head on. Thanks, Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the USA of America.”