Donald Trump has slammed Democrat Henry Cuellar’s “lack of loyalty” for not defecting to the Republican get together after he was pardoned by the US president.
In issuing his pardon on Wednesday, Trump stated the Texas consultant – who was charged final yr with bribery and cash laundering – had been politically focused by the Biden administration after he “bravely spoke out towards Open Borders”.
Hours after he was pardoned, Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat, dashing Republicans’ hope that he would possibly swap events and pad their slender majority within the Home of Representatives.
“Such an absence of LOYALTY,” Trump wrote of Cuellar on social media. “Oh’ effectively, subsequent time, no extra Mr. Good man!”
The Justice Division, beneath the Biden administration, charged that Cuellar and his spouse had accepted $600,000 (£450,600) from Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil firm and an unnamed Mexican financial institution in alternate for advancing their pursuits in Congress.
The couple, who’ve maintained their innocence, have been charged with 14 counts in 2024, together with conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, cash laundering and violating a ban on performing as brokers of a international organisation.
In his Sunday social media submit, Trump accused “radical left” Democrats of “mercilessly” going after Cuellar – who’s a reasonable Democrat – in an “evil quest” to “destroy” him and his household “all as a result of Henry strongly wished, appropriately, BORDER SECURITY!”
Trump stated within the prolonged submit that he had by no means spoken to the congressman or his household however “felt superb about combating” for his household as a result of they have been “handled sooo BADLY!”
Trump added that regardless of his pardon, Cuellar determined to run once more as a Democrat, “persevering with to work with the identical Radical Left Scum that simply weeks earlier than wished him and his spouse to spend the remainder of their lives in Jail – And doubtless nonetheless do!”
And that “lack of loyalty”, Trump wrote, wouldn’t sit effectively with Texas voters or with Cuellar’s daughters, who had written a letter to the president urging him to pardon their dad and mom.
Nonetheless, Cuellar doubled down on his intentions to stay within the Democratic get together, telling Fox Information on Sunday: “I am an American, I am a Texan and I am a Democrat – in that order.”
When requested to reply to Trump’s social media submit, Cuellar stated: “I’m a conservative Democrat, however I’ll work with the president.”
Cuellar added that Trump was on his thoughts whereas he attended church on Sunday morning.
“I prayed for the president,” he stated. “I prayed for his household, and I prayed for the presidency as a result of if the president succeeds, the nation succeeds.”
Trump’s assault on Cuellar is the newest instance of the president anticipating loyalty from these he helps.
A gaggle of federal labour unions filed a lawsuit towards the Trump administration final month over what they referred to as a “loyalty query” included in 1000’s of federal job purposes. The query asks candidates to determine Trump coverage initiatives which can be vital to them, and to explain how they personally would advance Trump’s agenda.
Trump has lengthy that stated loyalty is an important factor to him.
“I worth loyalty above every thing else – greater than brains, greater than drive, and greater than power,” he as soon as stated.