Trump endorses Republican seeking to unseat Henry Cuellar, pardoned by Trump

Trump last month pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. On Tuesday, Trump blasted him for seeking re-election as a Democrat, calling it "disloyalty."

President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed a Republican candidate seeking to unseat Rep. Henry Cuellar, the Texas Democrat he pardoned last month.

In his endorsement of Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, Trump slammed Cuellar for what he called “disloyalty” over his decision to seek re-election as a Democrat after having been pardoned.

Trump said he never thought Cuellar would seek public office again. Cuellar, who was indicted in 2024 on federal bribery, wire fraud and money laundering charges, has said he did not make a deal with Trump in exchange for the pardon.

Cuellar thanked Trump again for the pardon in a statement Tuesday but did not comment on his endorsement of Tijerina or his accusations of disloyalty.

“As mentioned previously, my family and I thank President Trump for his pardon,” Cuellar said.