President Trump posted criticism of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar on Truth Social, calling him "disloyal" and "ungrateful" for filing for reelection as a Democrat after Trump pardoned him. Trump said he expected Cuellar to switch to the Republican Party following the pardon. Cuellar responded that he remains focused on serving his South Texas district.
Where
Texas 28th congressional district (South Texas)
When
Oct. 8, 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Donald TrumpPresident
Henry CuellarU.S. Rep., Texas 28th congressional district
Tano TijerinaWebb County judge, Cuellar's election opponent
Imelda CuellarHenry Cuellar's wife, also pardoned
The facts
Trump pardoned Cuellar and his wife in December 2025 after his daughters requested clemency.1
Cuellar filed for reelection as a Democrat despite Trump's expectation he would switch parties.1
Cuellar and his wife were indicted in 2024 on bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy charges.1
The indictment alleged they accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from entities controlled by Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank.1
Texas 28th district Trump won by more than 10 points in 2024 but would have been won by Beto O'Rourke in 2018.1
Tijerina, Cuellar's opponent, left the Democratic Party in 2024 to run as Republican.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Trump Cuellar should have switched to Republican Party after pardon.1
Trump Cuellar was persecuted by Democrats and should have joined Republicans.1
Cuellar His priorities are reining in ICE overreach, bringing costs down, protecting Medicare and Social Security.1
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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$$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
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