Sports and politics analyst Stephen A. Smith ripped into Democrats on Wednesday, saying that it was impossible not to give President Donald Trump credit for political savvy after he pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
Smith gave his assessment on his Sirius XM show &#8220;Straight Shooter with Stephen A.,&#8221; saying that Trump was essentially &#8220;giving the Democratic Party lessons&#8221; in how to navigate the complicated political climate in the United States.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨NEW: Stephen A. Smith says Trump &#8220;BRILLIANT&#8221; to pardon Dem Rep. Henry Cuellar🚨
&#8220;At some point in time, we just have to give the man credit. He&#8217;s shrewd as h*ll. He really is. I mean, he is giving the Democratic Party lessons! Lessons!&#8221;
&#8220;You can&#8217;t sit up there and talk about… <a href="https://t.co/Um30i8zTEG">pic.twitter.com/Um30i8zTEG</a>
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonJournoDC/status/1996575942257291520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;[H]ow do the Democrats look when they now try to attack Trump because they say he pays no attention to the facts? How do they look now when they say he doesn’t provide leadership?&#8221; Smith asked. &#8220;How do they sound now when they accuse him of lawlessness?&#8221;
&#8220;I mean, at some point in time, we just have to give the man credit,&#8221; Smith continued. &#8220;He’s shrewd as hell. He really is. I mean, he is giving the Democratic Party lessons! Lessons! I mean, school is in session on how to manipulate minds and coax folks into thinking along the lines of his way of thinking.&#8221;
Smith pivoted to address the situation with Cuellar directly, and noted, as Trump did, that Cuellar had been at odds with former President Joe Biden over his handling of the illegal immigration crisis at the southern border. Trump, along with a number of others, alleged that Biden&#8217;s Justice Department had targeted Cuellar largely because of that.
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&#8220;You can’t sit up there and talk about how everything is partisan when the man sits up there and lets you off the hook and you&#8217;re on the opposite party. Now granted, that same Representative Cuellar was the same guy that spoke out against the Biden administration when it came to immigration issues and our borders. So again, that falls in line with Trump and we get that part. But he’s still a Democrat,&#8221; Smith said.
Smith concluded by noting that he&#8217;d long been advising Democrats that they needed to move to the center if they ever wanted to win — and argued that Trump, by extending his pardon power across party lines, had beaten them to the punch.
&#8220;What have I been saying about the Democrats? Get away from the far Left. Move towards the center. And Trump beat them to it. He beat them to it. That’s what he’s doing! That’s what he’s doing! It’s brilliant! Absolutely, positively brilliant politics! Nothing compares!&#8221;

Stephen A. Smith

‘School Is In Session!’: Stephen A. Smith Raves About Trump Decision To Pardon Democrat

'School Is In Session!': Stephen A. Smith Raves About Trump Decision To Pardon Democrat

Donald Trump

Henry Cuellar

Joe Biden

Media

Politics

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries agreed with President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Rep. Henry Cuellar on bribery, money laundering, and “foreign influence” charges from the Biden-era Justice Department in 2024.
“Listen, the reality is this indictment was very thin to begin with, in my view. The charges were eventually going to be dismissed, if not at the trial court level by the Supreme Court, as they&#8217;ve repeatedly done in instances just like this,” the Democrat leader said on CNN’s “The Situation Room” on Wednesday, adding that Cuellar is a “beloved” member of the chamber.
He further added, “I don&#8217;t know why the President decided to do this. I think the outcome was exactly the right outcome.”
When CNN asked Jeffries if Cuellar had planned to switch parties, as he represents a south Texas district that the president won last year, he anticipates that the lawmaker will remain a Democrat.
“I think Congressman Cuellar is a highly-valued Member of the House Democratic Caucus, and I expect that he&#8217;ll continue to remain a highly-valued Member of the House Democratic Caucus,” he added.
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The Texas Democrat filed to run in the Democratic primary earlier on Wednesday. Punchbowl News reported that Cuellar said “nothing has changed” when asked on Capitol Hill after the pardon whether he planned to become a Republican.
The 2024 indictment alleged that Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, “accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: an oil and gas company wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and a bank headquartered in Mexico City.”
Trump has been a critic of the indictment since it was announced in May 2024, saying it was politically motivated due to the congressman’s opposition to the Biden administration&#8217;s lax border policies. The Biden administration caught flak from Republicans and a handful of Democrats for the border crisis that persisted throughout the term, which led to major humanitarian issues in communities throughout the southwest that were ill-equipped to handle the resulting massive influx of individuals crossing illegally.
“I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas,” the Democrat said in an X post on Wednesday. “This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on.”
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that Cuellar had ultimately been targeted for “speaking the TRUTH.”
“Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!” the president added.
Cuellar is expected to have a competitive race in 2026, with the Cook Political Report rating his district as a “toss-up.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) Holds News Conference

Hakeem Jeffries Sides With Trump Over Pardon For Texas Democrat

Congress

Hakeem Jeffries

House of Representatives

pardons

Texas

Trump Administration

President Donald Trump pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) on Wednesday morning for federal money laundering, bribery, and illegal “foreign influence” charges.
“One of the clearest examples of this was when Crooked Joe used the FBI and DOJ to &#8216;take out&#8217; a member of his own Party after Highly Respected Congressman Henry Cuellar bravely spoke out against Open Borders, and the Biden Border ‘Catastrophe,’” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115656343773820545">wrote</a> on Truth Social.
“Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH. It is unAmerican and, as I previously stated, the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy!” he continued.
Trump criticized the indictment back in 2024, saying it was because of Cuellar’s criticism of Biden’s border policies.
In 2024, the Biden-era Department of Justice <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/us-congressman-henry-cuellar-and-his-wife-charged-bribery-unlawful-foreign-influence-and">charged</a> Cuellar and his wife with having “accepted approximately $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: an oil and gas company wholly owned and controlled by the Government of Azerbaijan, and a bank headquartered in Mexico City” from 2014 to 2021.
&#8220;I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time. This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas,&#8221; Cuellar posted to X after the news broke.
&#8220;This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America,&#8221; he added.
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His daughters sent a clemency request letter to President Trump on November 12, saying that the actions of Cuellar and his wife “were lawful and consistent” with his role in Congress, adding that the Democrat received a “written legal opinion” and opinions from the House Ethics Committee stating that his actions were lawful.
“Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!” the president further stated.
Last May, the Democrat said in a statement that “I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations.&#8221;
Cuellar is running for re-election in 2026 in a competitive South Texas district rated a &#8220;toss-up&#8221; by the Cook Political Report.
Trump has pardoned and commuted the sentences of other noteworthy politicians since returning to the White House. He pardoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) in February and commuted the sentence of former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) in October.
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&#8220;George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!&#8221; Trump wrote of Santos.
Earlier this week, the president said that pardons signed during the Biden administration with an autopen are no longer valid.
&#8220;Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts, signed by Order of the now infamous and unauthorized &#8216;AUTOPEN,&#8217; within the Administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., are hereby null, void, and of no further force or effect,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;Anyone receiving &#8216;Pardons,&#8217; &#8216;Commutations,&#8217; or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect.&#8221;
</div>

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas

Trump Turns Heads With Pardon Of A Democrat: ‘Your  Nightmare Is Finally Over!’

Trump Makes Shocking Pardon Of Dem Congressman Critical Of Biden's Border Policy

The House Ethics Committee opened an inquiry into Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/henry-cuellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry Cuellar</a> (D-TX), who has been indicted on federal bribery charges, the panel announced on Wednesday.
An investigative subcommittee will look into whether Cuellar &#8220;solicited or accepted bribes, gratuities, or improper gifts; acted as a foreign agent; violated federal money laundering laws; misused his official position for private gain; and/or made false statements or omissions on public disclosure statements filed with the House,&#8221; a press release <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/press-releases/statement-chairman-and-ranking-member-committee-ethics-regarding-representative-henry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) will serve as chair of the investigative subcommittee while Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) will serve as ranking member. Reps. Ben Cline (R-VA) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) were picked to round out the team.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-congressman-henry-cuellar-and-his-wife-charged-bribery-unlawful-foreign-influence-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in early May the unsealing of an indictment against Cuellar and his wife Imelda in the Southern District of Texas, accusing them of participating in schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering.
Cuellar, a 68-year-old who this year is running for an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/henry-cuellar-bribery-indictment-investigation-texas-ec9904da5c51d11600718a3261f73d0c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11th term in the House</a>, accepted $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities — an energy company controlled by Azerbaijan and a bank headquartered in Mexico City — in exchange for official acts as a member of Congress, the DOJ said.
In response to the indictment, Cuellar said he and his wife were &#8220;innocent of these allegations.&#8221; Cuellar also said he &#8220;proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm.&#8221;
The congressman added, &#8220;Furthermore, we requested a meeting with the Washington D.C. prosecutors to explain the facts and they refused to discuss the case with us or hear our side.&#8221;
Rules for the House Ethics Committee dictate that the panel shall either establish an investigative subcommittee or report to the House describing its reasons for not establishing an investigative subcommittee within 30 days of a member being &#8220;indicted or otherwise formally charged with criminal conduct.&#8221;
Members of the House Ethics Committee voted unanimously to establish an investigative subcommittee, the panel said.
The committee also noted that it is &#8220;aware of the risks associated with dual investigations and is in communication with the Department of Justice to mitigate the potential risks while still meeting the Committee’s obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House.&#8221;
In concluding its statement, the House Ethics Committee said, &#8220;No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.&#8221;

House Ethics Opens Probe Into Indicted Dem Henry Cuellar

Crime

Ethics

U.S.

U.S. House of Representatives

Three people have pled guilty in the federal criminal investigation into Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/henry-cuellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry Cuellar</a> (D-TX) and his wife allegedly accepting bribes from foreign entities in exchange for taking official actions as an elected official to further the interests of those entities.
The 68-year-old congressman was charged along with his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, with allegedly participating in two schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering, the DOJ said in a statement.
The Cuellars allegedly took nearly $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company that is wholly owned and controlled by the government of Azerbaijan and a bank that is headquartered in Mexico city.
Two of Cuellar&#8217;s political consultants — former aide Colin Strother and Florencia Roden — struck plea deals earlier this year on felony money laundering charges related to the bank in Mexico, The Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuellar-bribery-investigation-azerbaijan-mexico-832b32f502f4a5606f0f1f6fedfe6db2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. A third person, Irada Akhoundova, pled guilty earlier this month to acting as an agent for Azerbaijan without registering under Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The New York Times reported that Cuellar was in serious need of cash around the time that he allegedly started accepting bribes as he reported being worth as little as $29,000 in 2013.
A lawyer for Cuellar said that the &#8220;suggestion that there is a financial desperation that would create a motive for bribery&#8221; was false and that the congressman &#8220;lives within his means, and like anyone else, his net worth goes up and down.&#8221;
&#8220;The fact that he’s had success doesn’t change his roots. He’s never forgotten where he came from,” the lawyer said. “There was no quid pro quo. His actions in this matter were lawful, transparent and entirely consistent with the actions of many of his colleagues and consistent with his own principles and the interests of the country.”
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Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bob-menendez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Menendez</a> (D-NJ) was indicted on similar criminal charges last fall and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jury-selection-for-new-jersey-democrat-senator-bob-menendez-corruption-trial-begins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jury selection</a> for his trial started this week.
Federal prosecutors have charged Menendez with 16 criminal counts, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/13/bob-menendez-trial-new-jersey-corruption" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a> conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, a charge accusing him of conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt, obstruction of justice, and other related corruption charges. The allegations include claims that Menendez was bribed with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-senator-menendez-poised-to-blame-his-wife-for-alleged-crimes-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Democrat Senator Menendez Poised To Blame His Wife For Alleged Crimes: Reports</a>

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas,

3 People Plead Guilty In Federal Corruption Case Against Democrat Henry Cuellar

After being indicted on federal bribery charges last week, Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/henry-cuellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry Cuellar</a> (D-TX) is being called on to step down by a Democrat colleague in the House.
Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dean-phillips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dean Phillips</a> (D-MN), a former long-shot candidate for president, lumped Cuellar in with former President Donald Trump and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) as part of a list of politicians who he insisted should resign because they have been indicted.
&#8220;While the bar for Federal indictment is high, trust in our government is low,&#8221; Phillips <a href="https://twitter.com/deanbphillips/status/1786544184490381436" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X. &#8220;That’s why office holders and candidates under indictment should resign or end their campaigns, including Sen. Bob Menendez, Donald Trump, &amp; Rep. Henry Cuellar.&#8221;
The Department of Justice (DOJ) <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-congressman-henry-cuellar-and-his-wife-charged-bribery-unlawful-foreign-influence-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> on Friday that Cuellar, a 10-term congressman, and his wife Imelda were charged with allegedly participating in schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering.
Cuellar, 68, accepted $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities — an energy company controlled by Azerbaijan and a bank headquartered in Mexico City — in exchange for official acts as a member of Congress, the DOJ said.
In a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-texas-azerbaijan/64373556-0966-11ef-b186-090cb777107e_story.html?ref=upstract.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> responding to the indictment, Cuellar said he and his wife were &#8220;innocent of these allegations,&#8221; taking a similarly defiant stance as Trump and Menendez have as they seek to fend off the charges they face.
“Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas,” Cuellar said. “Before I took action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm.&#8221;
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He added, &#8220;Furthermore, we requested a meeting with the Washington D.C. prosecutors to explain the facts and they refused to discuss the case with us or hear our side.&#8221;
The DOJ said the Cuellars, who face decades in prison if convicted, surrendered to authorities on Friday and made an initial appearance before a federal judge in Houston before each being released on $100,000 bond, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/henry-cuellar-bribery-indictment-investigation-texas-ec9904da5c51d11600718a3261f73d0c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Associated Press</a>.
Menendez, who also faces bribery-related charges, has also been pressured to step down by a fellow Democrat — Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) — amid his legal battle.
“Senator Menendez should resign,&#8221; Fetterman <a href="https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/press-releases/fetterman-calls-on-senator-menendez-to-resign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;He’s entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations. I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial.&#8221;

Rep. Henry Cuellar

Fellow Dem Calls On Cuellar To Resign After Indictment

Dean Phillips

Democrats

House Democrats

Indictment

Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/henry-cuellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry Cuellar</a> (D-TX) released a statement on Friday maintaining his innocence after he and his wife were indicted on federal corruption and bribery charges.
The 68-year-old congressman was charged along with his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, of participating in two alleged schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering, the DOJ said in a statement.
The Cuellars allegedly took nearly $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company that is wholly owned and controlled by the government of Azerbaijan and a bank that is headquartered in Mexico city.
&#8220;The bribe payments were laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, through a series of front companies and middlemen into shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar,&#8221; prosecutors allege. &#8220;Cuellar performed little or no legitimate work under the sham contracts.&#8221;
&#8220;I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations,&#8221; he claimed in a statement. &#8220;Everything I have done in Congress has been to serve the people of South Texas.&#8221;
Cuellar claimed that he only took the actions after he &#8220;proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm.&#8221;
He said that the actions he took were &#8220;consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues&#8221; and that they were always in America&#8217;s interests.
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Cuellar praised his wife in the statement and claimed that she was an accomplished business professional and said that he was offended by the insinuation that his wife was &#8220;anything but qualified and hard working.&#8221;
The indictment comes after the FBI <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-raided-home-of-top-democrat-henry-cuellar-as-part-of-probe-involving-ex-soviet-state-of-azerbaijan-u-s-businessman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raided</a> Cuellar’s home and campaign office back in 2022 as part of the criminal investigation into the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan and several U.S. businessmen. Numerous items were <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-agents-seize-items-from-home-of-texas-democrat-congressman-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seized</a> during the raid.
Prosecutors allege that in exchange for the bribes, Cuellar, who is the Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, used his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in a manner favorable to Azerbaijan.
“In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank,” the DOJ said.
Both individuals were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal; two counts of bribery of a federal official; two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering; and five counts of money laundering.
If convicted on all of the charges, both individuals face a maximum of up to 204 years in prison.

Senators Graham And Cuellar Hold News Conference On Border Situation

Democrat Henry Cuellar Releases Statement After Being Indicted On Federal Charges

Department of Justice

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and his wife were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from two foreign entities.
The 68-year-old congressman was charged along with his wife, Imelda Cuellar, 67, with participating in two alleged schemes involving bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering, the DOJ said in a statement.
The Cuellars allegedly took nearly $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company that is wholly owned and controlled by the government of Azerbaijan and a bank that is headquartered in Mexico city.
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&#8220;Cuellar promised to use the power and prestige of his office to advance Azerbaijan’s and Foreign Bank-1’s interests in the United States,&#8221; the DOJ said. &#8220;The bribe payments were laundered, pursuant to sham consulting contracts, through a series of front companies and middlemen into shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar. Cuellar performed little or no legitimate work under the sham contracts.&#8221;
The indictment comes after the FBI <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-raided-home-of-top-democrat-henry-cuellar-as-part-of-probe-involving-ex-soviet-state-of-azerbaijan-u-s-businessman">raided</a> Cuellar&#8217;s home and campaign office back in 2022 as part of the criminal investigation into the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan and several U.S. businessmen. Numerous items were <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-agents-seize-items-from-home-of-texas-democrat-congressman-report">seized</a> during the raid.
Prosecutors allege that in-exchange for the bribes, Cuellar, who is the Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, used his office to influence U.S. foreign policy in a manner favorable to Azerbaijan.
&#8220;In exchange for the bribes paid by the Mexican bank, Congressman Cuellar allegedly agreed to influence legislative activity and to advise and pressure high-ranking U.S. Executive Branch officials regarding measures beneficial to the bank,&#8221; the DOJ said.
Both individuals were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official and to have a public official act as an agent of a foreign principal; two counts of bribery of a federal official; two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud; two counts of violating the ban on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal; one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering; and five counts of money laundering.
If convicted on all of the charges, both individuals face a maximum of up to 204 years in prison.
This report has been updated to include additional information.

Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Department of Defense

Democrat Henry Cuellar Indicted In Federal Corruption Investigation

A little more than a dozen <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/house-democrats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Democrats</a> broke ranks and assisted Republicans in passing a resolution on Tuesday denouncing President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a>&#8216;s immigration policies and urging him to take action in lieu of a congressional fix.
Fourteen Democrats <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202485" target="_blank" rel="noopener">joined</a> with all 212 voting Republicans in approving the resolution. Another 193 Democrats voted against the resolution. Thirteen members, including seven Republicans and six Democrats, did not vote.
The 14 defectors included Reps. Don Davis (D-NC), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Jared Golden (D-ME), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Susie Lee (D-NV), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Mary Peltola (D-AK), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL).
Provisions in the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1065/text" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resolution</a> fault Biden and his administration for creating the &#8220;worst border security crisis in the Nation&#8217;s history&#8221; and paving the way for millions of illegal immigrants. It also lists a number of authorities Biden should use, such as ending catch-and-release and entering into asylum cooperative agreements, as the president <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-wont-take-executive-action-secure-border-wants-congress-find-fix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defers to Congress</a> for a solution.
&#8220;The current state of our nation&#8217;s border security is unsustainable,&#8221; <a href="https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=667" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), who authored the resolution. &#8220;The policies put forth by the Biden administration have resulted in the worst border security crisis in our nation&#8217;s history, endangering our communities and straining our resources.&#8221;
Cruz said the resolution &#8220;underscores the urgent need for the Biden administration to take decisive action to address the crisis at our border.&#8221; She added, &#8220;We urge the administration to immediately begin utilizing the authorities available to them to regain control of the situation and protect the interests of the American people.&#8221;
The resolution is the latest in a series of measures designed to rebuke the Biden administration over its handling of the border crisis that have garnered bipartisan support.
In late January, 56 Democrats <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/56-dems-help-pass-another-house-border-measure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">helped</a> Republicans pass legislation that sought to establish new penalties for individuals who engage in high-speed vehicle chases while fleeing Border Patrol agents within 100 miles of the border. A couple weeks before that, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/14-house-democrats-vote-to-denounce-biden-admins-open-borders-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 Democrats</a> joined with Republicans in voting to denounce the Biden administration&#8217;s &#8220;open-borders policies.&#8221;
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The GOP-led House passed a border security bill last year that sought to restrict access to asylum, among other provisions, but the Democrat-controlled Senate refused to take up what Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/speaker-johnson-rips-senate-foreign-aid-package-for-lacking-real-border-security-provisions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dismissed</a> as “partisan right-wing demands.” And, after months of negotiations, a bipartisan immigration deal fell apart in the Senate last month.
Cueller, who represents a border district, <a href="https://twitter.com/RepCuellar/status/1767623894771364195" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> earlier on Tuesday that he was leading a group of 26 House Democrats to urge Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to tackle the issue.
&#8220;I have always believed that Democrats can be strong on border security while also respecting the rights of migrants to claim asylum,&#8221; he said in a post to X, adding later, &#8220;Let’s get the job done.&#8221;
House Republicans <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-impeaches-mayorkas-in-second-attempt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border crisis, but the Senate has so far not held a trial for the Cabinet official.

14 House Democrats Vote With GOP To Demand Biden Control The Border

Biden Administration

Border Crisis

Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/henry-cuellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Henry Cuellar</a> (D-TX) said <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington, D.C.</a>, is about “two to three” times more dangerous than his border district in south <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/texas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas</a> after he was carjacked on Monday.
Cuellar appeared on Fox News on Tuesday evening and gave his grim assessment of violent crime in the nation’s capital. Cuellar was the victim of an armed carjacking in which he lost his vehicle, phone, iPad, and sushi dinner. Cuellar was left unharmed and his car and items, minus the sushi, were later recovered by the police.
“I’ve always said when I talk about the border, that there is an immigration crisis there. But I would say that when you look at the numbers of murders, rape, assaults at the border — let’s say in Laredo, Texas — I’ve always said that Washington is about two or three times more dangerous, and we certainly see it now,” Cuellar said during an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters.
Cuellar went on to detail his support for law enforcement. When asked about attacks on law enforcement from members of the Democratic Party, Cuellar said he could speak for himself.
“I think a lot of Democrats do [support law enforcement]. I think there are some that have a different opinion. I can speak about myself: I don’t believe in defunding the police,” he said. “I voted against what the Washington, D.C., Council did to lower penalties. I think that’s a wrong direction. I was one of 30 Democrats that we don’t feel that you affect crime by lowering the penalties. You ought to increase the penalty.”
The Texas Democrat also joked about his harrowing experience, saying that what really made him “pissed off” was the fact that they stole his dinner. He also noted that he has a black belt in karate, but decided to take the “calm” way out and let the “punks” have the car.
“There were three individuals. I looked to the left, there was somebody with a gun pointed at me. I looked to the right, there was somebody there. There was a third person behind me. I do have a black belt in karate, but I quickly assessed the situation. You got to stay calm because it looked like three young individuals, and I decided to say, just take the car. We were able to track the car and my phone and within an hour and a half, they got everything back,” Cuellar said.
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EXCLUSIVE: Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar was just held up at gunpoint in DC and he&#39;s upset they took his sushi. He tells Primetime about the carjacking and where Democrats stand on crime. <a href="https://t.co/24FXWYRJOL">pic.twitter.com/24FXWYRJOL</a>
&mdash; Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseBWatters/status/1709375588677345433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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No arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident.
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Carjacked Congressman Says D.C. ‘Two Or Three Times More Dangerous’ Than Texas Border

Washington D.C.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) broke his silence on Tuesday morning after being carjacked Monday night by armed assailants in Washington, D.C.
The 68-year-old congressman was carjacked in D.C.&#8217;s upscale Navy Yard neighborhood just before 10 p.m. EST. A police alert said that law enforcement was searching for &#8220;three black males wearing all black clothing.&#8221;
&#8220;I was just coming into my place, three guys came out of nowhere and they pointed guns at me,&#8221; Cuellar told reporters. &#8220;I do have a black belt, but I recognize when you got three guns — I looked at one with a gun, another with a gun, a third one behind me — so they said they wanted my car and I said sure.&#8221;
&#8220;You got to keep calm under those situations and then they took off,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;They recovered the car. They recovered everything, what really got me upset was they took my sushi but anyway, that&#8217;s something else. And they did recover the sushi after all.&#8221;
Cuellar suggested that the incident did not significantly impact him emotionally and that his message following the incident was, &#8220;You got to support law enforcement.&#8221;
When asked by a reporter if security should be boosted for members of Congress following the incident, Cuellar responded: &#8220;I don&#8217;t know. I&#8217;ll leave that to House administration, but this happened less than a mile away from the Capitol.&#8221;
&#8220;And my place, you got our leader Hakeem [Jeffries] there, Katherine Clark who lives there, a whole bunch of members that live in that place,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;So, I&#8217;ll leave that up to the police.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
“Three guys came out of nowhere and they pointed guns at me” – video of <a href="https://twitter.com/RepCuellar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepCuellar</a> (D-TX) recounting getting carjacked last night. ATTN: .<a href="https://twitter.com/alanhenney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlanHenney</a> <a href="https://t.co/b9WKEmsiU1">pic.twitter.com/b9WKEmsiU1</a>
&mdash; Brent Baker 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@BrentHBaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrentHBaker/status/1709215324464099801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This report has been updated to include additional information.

Democrat Henry Cuellar Breaks Silence After Being Carjacked By Armed Men

carjacking

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was reportedly carjacked at gunpoint in Washington, D.C., on Monday night.
White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reported that Cuellar was &#8220;was carjacked at gunpoint tonight outside his apartment building in DC, multiple sources confirm to me.&#8221;
The congressman, whose district is on the U.S. southern border, is reportedly safe. Cuellar&#8217;s car was reportedly recovered roughly an hour later. 
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NEWS: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked at gunpoint tonight outside his apartment building in DC, multiple sources confirm to me. And Cuellar is safe they say
&mdash; Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) <a href="https://twitter.com/lbarronlopez/status/1709033713126735942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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An alert that was sent out in the area said that the suspects were three black males.
“Alert: Armed Carjacking Investigation at the intersection of K street and New Jersey Avenue SE,” a local alert said, according to Punchbowl News. “Taken was a white Honda CHR with TX tags [redacted]. Lookout for three black males wearing all black clothing.”
An alert sent to congressional members <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/congressman-henry-cuellar-carjacked-gunpoint-washington-sources/story?id=103676681">said</a> that the men held guns to Cuellar&#8217;s head and also took his cellphone.
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Here’s neighborhood alert that went out: <a href="https://t.co/99Euxaq6Q8">https://t.co/99Euxaq6Q8</a> <a href="https://t.co/32BUr2woYs">pic.twitter.com/32BUr2woYs</a>
&mdash; Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) <a href="https://twitter.com/heatherscope/status/1709033084350300346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) was assaulted in an elevator at her Washington, D.C., apartment building back in February.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-release-photo-of-suspect-in-assault-of-house-democrat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> a couple of days later that they had arrested 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin on a charge of simple assault.
“My morning coffee really saved the day yesterday, but not exactly how I expected it to,” Craig said. “On a serious note, I will also say that I was very, very lucky that I was not more injured — and I’ll have more to say about that soon.”
“I wanted to let everyone know that the outpouring of support from friends, constituents and colleagues has been overwhelming,” she continued. “I remain deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect last night.”
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.

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