In a significant political move, US President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to a veteran Democratic congressman and his spouse, who were facing serious bribery allegations.
The Pardon and the Charges
On Wednesday 3 December 2025, President Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that he was granting a "full and unconditional pardon" to Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar, 70, and his wife, Imelda. Mr Trump described the congressman as "beloved" and his wife as "wonderful."
The couple had been indicted the previous year for their alleged involvement in two bribery schemes. Prosecutors claimed they accepted nearly $600,000 (approximately £449,600) in bribes intended to benefit an Azerbaijani state-owned energy company and a Mexico-based bank that was not publicly named. Their trial was scheduled to begin in April of the following year.
Political Context and Trump's Justification
Henry Cuellar, who has represented a district on the Texas-Mexico border for over twenty years, is known as a moderate Democrat. He has frequently broken ranks with his party on key issues, including immigration and firearms policy.
In his social media post, President Trump directly linked the prosecution to this political dissent. He asserted, without presenting evidence, that the charges were a result of the Biden administration weaponising the justice system against opponents. Trump claimed Mr Cuellar was targeted after criticising former President Joe Biden's immigration policies, which he labelled a "catastrophe."
"Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman's wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH," Mr Trump wrote, concluding with, "Your nightmare is finally over!"
Reaction and the Path Forward
Congressman Cuellar, who has maintained his and his wife's innocence throughout, responded gratefully on X (formerly Twitter). He thanked President Trump for his "tremendous leadership" and for reviewing the facts of the case.
"This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas," Mr Cuellar stated. "This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on."
The unexpected pardon for a sitting member of the opposition party is likely to fuel further debate about the use of executive clemency powers and the intersection of justice and political rivalry in Washington.
