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● InformationalEthics / Corruption

Embattled Democrat Henry Cuellar says Trump pardon caught him off guard

Cuellar said Trump’s pardon surprised him and that he had filed to run for re-election as a Democrat.

Embattled Democrat Henry Cuellar says Trump pardon caught him off guard
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This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
Fox News
Dec 4, 2025
tl;dr

Rep. Henry Cuellar said President Donald Trump’s pardon caught him by surprise, and thanked Trump after filing to run for re-election as a Democrat. Cuellar has denied the bribery and foreign-agent charges brought against him in 2024.

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Henry Cuellar D · TX-28
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This story reports what happened without casting Cuellar in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Cuellar’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Henry Cuellar
D · TX-28

Texas representative pardoned by Trump and seeking re-election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who pardoned Cuellar

Trump's version of this story ↗

Part of a bigger story

35 OUTLETS
Trump Pardons Henry Cuellar in Federal Bribery Case

President Donald Trump pardoned Henry Cuellar and his wife while Cuellar faced federal bribery charges. Left-leaning outlets include scrutiny of Trump's justification and clemency record, while some place the pardon in Cuellar's reelection context. Center outlets present the pardon alongside the charges, denials and reactions, generally in factual terms. Right-leaning outlets foreground claims of political targeting and the pardon’s political stakes, though one opinion column argues Trump acted for Republican advantage.

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