Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Dec 8: Days after President Donald Trump issued a preemptive pardon to embattled Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar, the longtime congressman has announced his bid for reelection — a move that has sparked an angry backlash from the president.

In a sharp post on social media on December 7, Trump criticised Cuellar for “continuing to work with the same Radical Left Scum,” accusing him of showing “a lack of LOYALTY.” Trump also claimed that Cuellar’s daughters had written to him urging the pardon, although this has not been independently confirmed.

Cuellar and his wife Imelda were indicted last year on charges of bribery, conspiracy, and money laundering, accused of taking nearly USD 600,000 in payments linked to an Azerbaijan-connected company and a Mexico City bank. The couple has firmly denied the allegations.

Trump suggested — without evidence — that the charges were politically motivated because Cuellar often opposed his party’s stance on immigration and border security. The president also indicated he expected Cuellar to distance himself from the Democratic Party after receiving the pardon.

However, Cuellar made it clear he has no plans to switch sides. Speaking to Fox News, the 70-year-old described himself as a “conservative Democrat,” invoking former President Lyndon B. Johnson: “I’m an American, I’m a Texan, and I’m a Democrat, in that order.”

He stressed that putting party before country is wrong and said he would continue seeking areas of agreement with Republicans while remaining firmly in the Democratic fold.

Cuellar, first elected to Congress in 2004 after eight terms in the Texas House, became politically vulnerable following his May 2024 indictment. His decision to run for another term now sets the stage for a heated and closely watched campaign in Texas.