Trump Pardoned a Congressman Accused of Taking $598,000 in Bribes, Then Called Him Disloyal

Select a Section to Explore

Chapter 1 — A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test

Chapter 2 — A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal

Chapter 3 — The Sheriff Who Sold Law Enforcement Credentials

Chapter 4 — A Critic Was Harder to Help

Chapter 5 — Broad Power, Personal Accountability

1 · A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test

1 · A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test — select a subtopic

1.1 — Trump Stopped the Case Before a Jury Could Decide

1.2 — The Favor Trump Expected Cuellar to Remember

1 · A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test

1.1 · A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test

Trump Stopped the Case Before a Jury Could Decide

A grand jury charged the Cuellars with accepting at least $598,000 from an Azerbaijani state oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for the congressman's help. Both pleaded not guilty, and Trump pardoned them before trial. No jury decided the charges.

Pardon warrant, United States v. Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar and Imelda Rios Cuellar, 4:24-cr-00224

A FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL PARDON

Executive Grant of Clemency · December 2025

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Sources

[1]Donald Trump, San Antonio midterm rally, October 7, 2026 (Factbase transcript via Roll Call)

[2]DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney, "Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025–Present)" (Hernández, Cuellar, and Jenkins rows; no Combs row)

[3]Indictment, United States v. Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar and Imelda Rios Cuellar, No. 4:24-cr-00224 (S.D. Tex. Apr. 30, 2024), ¶1

[4]Executive Grant of Clemency (full and unconditional pardon), United States v. Cuellar, No. 4:24-cr-00224 (DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney)

[5]Ex parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333 (1867)

[6]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115678452939414622)

[7]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115850412075994316)

[8]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115629406693931908)

[9]U.S. Attorney's Office, W.D. Va., press release, "Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted on Federal Bribery Charges" (Dec. 2024)

[10]President Trump, interview on Newsmax (Rob Finnerty) at the White House, Aug. 1, 2025 (Factbase transcript, via Roll Call)

[11]Docket, United States v. Cuellar, No. 4:24-cr-00224 (S.D. Tex.), May 3, 2024 arraignment entries

1.2 · A Pardon Followed by a Loyalty Test

The Favor Trump Expected Cuellar to Remember

Trump said he pardoned the Cuellars to remedy political persecution and answer their daughters' plea. In the same post, he faulted Cuellar's decision to remain a Democrat as disloyal. A month later, he called the pardon the greatest favor of Cuellar's life and said he was fighting him for his seat. In October, he said Cuellar and his wife should be in prison and urged voters to elect Tijerina to show the cost of disloyalty.

Truth Social post (status 115678452939414622)

Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like.

Donald J. Trump, on Truth Social · December 7, 2025

Truth Social post (status 115850412075994316)

I am fighting him for his seat in Congress because his views are not nearly as good or strong as Judge Tano Tijerina

Donald J. Trump, on Truth Social · January 6, 2026

Factbase transcript, San Antonio midterm rally

we'll call that payback for a disloyal, ungrateful person

Donald J. Trump, San Antonio rally · October 7, 2026

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Sources

[1]Donald Trump, San Antonio midterm rally, October 7, 2026 (Factbase transcript via Roll Call)

[6]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115678452939414622)

[7]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115850412075994316)

[12]Jose De La Rosa, Laredo Morning Times, Trump backs Tijerina again, attacks Cuellar for not switching parties (October 10, 2026)

[13]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 116914384616098938), July 13, 2026

[14]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 117401881670410504), October 7, 2026

[15]Texas Secretary of State, 2026 November General Election Ballot Certification Report (August 28, 2026)

2 · A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal

2 · A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal — select a subtopic

2.1 — More Than 400 Tons of Cocaine, Then a Pardon

2.2 — Trump Joined the Pardon to His Preferred Candidate

2 · A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal

2.1 · A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal

More Than 400 Tons of Cocaine, Then a Pardon

An American jury convicted Hernández of a cocaine-importation conspiracy and related firearms offenses. DOJ said he used Honduran police and military institutions to support the conspiracy. Trump pardoned him, ending a 45-year prison sentence.

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Sources

[2]DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney, "Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025–Present)" (Hernández, Cuellar, and Jenkins rows; no Combs row)

[16]Peter J. Meyer, Congressional Research Service, Presidential Pardon of Former Honduran President Convicted of Drug Trafficking, IN12621 (updated December 8, 2025)

[17]U.S. Attorney's Office, S.D.N.Y., Juan Orlando Hernandez sentenced to 45 years for cocaine conspiracy and related firearms offenses (June 26, 2024)

[18]Associated Press via Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Honduran judge dismisses fraud and money laundering case against former President Hernández (September 1, 2026)

2.2 · A Drug Trafficker's Freedom in an Election Appeal

Trump Joined the Pardon to His Preferred Candidate

Trump announced Hernández's pardon two days before Honduras's November 30, 2025 election. His message promised U.S. support if Tito Asfura won and warned against it if Asfura lost. Axios reported that Roger Stone delivered Hernández's clemency appeal and argued a pardon would energize Asfura's party; Stone said he would make no money from it.

Truth Social post (status 115629406693931908)

VOTE FOR TITO ASFURA FOR PRESIDENT, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO JUAN ORLANDO HERNANDEZ ON YOUR UPCOMING PARDON.

Donald J. Trump, on Truth Social · November 28, 2025

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Sources

[8]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115629406693931908)

[16]Peter J. Meyer, Congressional Research Service, Presidential Pardon of Former Honduran President Convicted of Drug Trafficking, IN12621 (updated December 8, 2025)

[17]U.S. Attorney's Office, S.D.N.Y., Juan Orlando Hernandez sentenced to 45 years for cocaine conspiracy and related firearms offenses (June 26, 2024)

[19]Marc Caputo / Axios, "Letter led to Trump pardon of Honduras' ex-president for drug trafficking" (Dec. 2, 2025)

[20]Marlon González and Megan Janetsky, Associated Press via PBS News, Nasry Asfura declared winner of Honduras' presidential vote (December 24, 2025)

3 · The Sheriff Who Sold Law Enforcement Credentials

3 · The Sheriff Who Sold Law Enforcement Credentials — select a subtopic

3.1 — Cash for Badges, Then a Pardon

3 · The Sheriff Who Sold Law Enforcement Credentials

3.1 · The Sheriff Who Sold Law Enforcement Credentials

Cash for Badges, Then a Pardon

Jenkins sold sworn law enforcement appointments to people who paid him. Prosecutors said he also pressured officials to restore a convicted felon's gun rights using a petition that falsely listed the man's residence. Trump's pardon removed the ten-year prison punishment. ProPublica linked the pardon to a MAGA slogan Pardon Attorney Ed Martin posted the day Trump announced it.

DOJ press release, "Former Culpeper Sheriff Sentenced to 10 Years on Federal Bribery Charges"

Scott Jenkins violated his oath of office and the faith the citizens of Culpeper County placed in him when he engaged in a cash-for-badges scheme

Zachary T. Lee, Acting U.S. Attorney, W.D. Va. · 2025

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Sources

[2]DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney, "Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025–Present)" (Hernández, Cuellar, and Jenkins rows; no Combs row)

[9]U.S. Attorney's Office, W.D. Va., press release, "Former Virginia Sheriff Convicted on Federal Bribery Charges" (Dec. 2024)

[21]Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters (November 12, 2025), copy submitted to Congress

[22]U.S. Attorney's Office, W.D. Va., press release, "Former Culpeper Sheriff Sentenced to 10 Years on Federal Bribery Charges" (2025)

[23]Martha Bellisle, Associated Press via WDIV/ClickOnDetroit, Trump says he is pardoning a Virginia sheriff convicted on bribery charges (May 26, 2025)

[24]Edward R. "Ed" Martin Jr., U.S. Pardon Attorney, post on X (@EagleEdMartin, status 1927092000848855360)

4 · A Critic Was Harder to Help

4 · A Critic Was Harder to Help — select a subtopic

4.1 — Trump Named the Personal Grievance

4 · A Critic Was Harder to Help

4.1 · A Critic Was Harder to Help

Trump Named the Personal Grievance

In May 2025, Trump said whether Combs liked him would not affect clemency; in August, he said Combs's hostility made helping him harder. CBS News later reported continuing discussions. DOJ's published list, checked on October 10, 2026, included no grant for Combs.

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Sources

[10]President Trump, interview on Newsmax (Rob Finnerty) at the White House, Aug. 1, 2025 (Factbase transcript, via Roll Call)

[25]Donald Trump, May 30, 2025 Oval Office press conference, Factbase transcript via Roll Call

[26]Docket and judgment, United States v. Sean Combs, No. 1:24-cr-00542 (S.D.N.Y.) (CourtListener)

[27]Jennifer Jacobs, Gabe Kaminsky and Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, Trump likely to pardon pollution violators as he privately weighs clemency for Diddy (July 3, 2026)

[28]DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney, Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present), checked October 10, 2026

5 · Broad Power, Personal Accountability

5 · Broad Power, Personal Accountability — select a subtopic

5.1 — The Pardons Were Within Trump's Constitutional Power

5.2 — Mercy Turned Into Political Obligation

5 · Broad Power, Personal Accountability

5.1 · Broad Power, Personal Accountability

The Pardons Were Within Trump's Constitutional Power

A president can pardon federal crimes before trial as well as after conviction. The Supreme Court has upheld the power's breadth, and Congress cannot narrow it by statute. The case for accountability concerns Trump's use of that lawful power for political and personal ends.

Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (opinion)

Exceptional cases like this if to be imagined at all would suggest a resort to impeachment rather than to a narrow and strained construction of the general powers of the President.

Chief Justice William Howard Taft, Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (1925) · 1925

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Sources

[2]DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney, "Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025–Present)" (Hernández, Cuellar, and Jenkins rows; no Combs row)

[4]Executive Grant of Clemency (full and unconditional pardon), United States v. Cuellar, No. 4:24-cr-00224 (DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney)

[5]Ex parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333 (1867)

[6]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115678452939414622)

[7]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115850412075994316)

[8]Donald J. Trump, Truth Social post (status 115629406693931908)

[10]President Trump, interview on Newsmax (Rob Finnerty) at the White House, Aug. 1, 2025 (Factbase transcript, via Roll Call)

[29]U.S. Constitution, art. II, §2, cl. 1 (Pardon power) and §4 (impeachment)

[30]Schick v. Reed, 419 U.S. 256 (1974)

[31]Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 74 (1788)

[32]Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (1925)

[33]Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 65 (1788)

[34]Debates in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 18 June 1788 (Elliot's Debates, vol. 3)

5.2 · Broad Power, Personal Accountability

Mercy Turned Into Political Obligation

Trump condemned Cuellar's party choice after granting him a pardon, joined Hernández's release to an election appeal, and said Combs's hostility made mercy harder. Those public acts support the charge that he treated clemency as a personal and political favor. Impeachment provides a way to judge abuse of the power without pretending the pardons themselves were invalid.