Trump Blasts Cuellar’s ‘Lack of Loyalty’ After Pardon as Congressman Reaffirms Democratic Ties

By Blessing Nweke

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar on Sunday, accusing him of showing “a lack of LOYALTY” for refusing to defect to the Republican Party after receiving a presidential pardon last week. Cuellar, who was charged in 2024 with bribery, money laundering and acting as an agent of a foreign organisation, was pardoned by Trump on Wednesday. The president claimed Cuellar had been targeted by the Biden administration for opposing “Open Borders.”

Republicans had hoped the pardon might convince the long-time moderate Democrat to switch parties and bolster the GOP’s slim House majority. Instead, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat within hours of the pardon, prompting Trump’s public frustration. “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!” Trump wrote on social media.

Federal prosecutors had accused Cuellar and his wife of accepting $600,000 from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company and an unnamed Mexican bank in exchange for promoting their interests in Congress. The couple, who have denied wrongdoing, faced 14 counts, including conspiracy and bribery.

In a lengthy weekend social media post, Trump accused “radical left” Democrats of attempting to “destroy” the congressman for supporting border security. He insisted he had never spoken to Cuellar or his family but felt compelled to intervene because they had been “treated sooo BADLY!”

Cuellar, however, reiterated his dedication to the Democratic Party in multiple interviews on Sunday. “I’m an American, I’m a Texan and I’m a Democrat — in that order,” he told Fox News, adding that he would still work with the president “when it benefits Texans.”

He also said he prayed for Trump during church services on Sunday. “If the president succeeds, the country succeeds,” he noted.

Trump’s reaction underscores his long-held expectation of personal loyalty, a theme that has resurfaced recently after federal labour unions sued his administration over a controversial “loyalty question” included in government job applications.