Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy (Photo by Allison Robbert/Getty Images)
A former federal prosecutor sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Monday night, calling his latest presidential pardon the “most callous and craven” one yet. The remarks came after Trump issued a surprise pardon last week to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who had been facing charges of money laundering and advancing the interests of Azerbaijan during the Biden administration. Cuellar’s trial had been set for April 2026, but the pardon abruptly halted all proceedings.
The political fallout intensified over the weekend when Cuellar appeared on Fox News. He was asked whether he planned to run for re-election as a Republican now that he had aligned himself with Trump on several issues. Cuellar said he intended to run as a conservative Democrat who is willing to work with the president. That response clearly irritated Trump, who expected a deeper political shift after granting the pardon.
Trump vented on Truth Social shortly after Cuellar’s interview aired. “Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like,” he wrote. “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!” His reaction fueled accusations that the pardon may have been tied to political expectations rather than justice.
Former Justice Department prosecutor Glenn Kirschner weighed in during a new episode of “The Legal Breakdown” with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen. Kirschner argued that the situation raises serious legal concerns. He said Trump’s expectation that Cuellar would switch parties after receiving a pardon fits a pattern that could carry criminal implications.
“It’s one of many potential crimes that Donald Trump commits when he corruptly delivers a pardon expecting to get something in return for that official act that he took of delivering a pardon,” Kirschner said. He noted that the Constitution grants broad presidential pardon power, but using it for personal or political gain can cross into criminal territory.
Kirschner added that what Trump wanted from Cuellar was political loyalty that would ultimately help him retain control of the House of Representatives. “And what he wants is political loyalty in return that will enure to his personal benefit because he obviously wants to continue to keep the House of Representatives in Republican hands and this is now going to thwart his efforts in that regard,” he said.
He argued that the pardon represents “political corruption of the most callous and craven” variety. Kirschner went further, saying the move likely violates several federal statutes, including those governing bribery, honest services fraud, and misuse of public office.
The controversy adds another layer to Trump’s long-running clashes over the boundaries of presidential power. Cuellar, meanwhile, is now entering a re-election fight under extraordinary circumstances. His decision to remain a Democrat despite the pardon leaves both parties recalibrating their political strategies in Texas.
As legal analysts, lawmakers, and ethics watchdogs digest the implications of the pardon, the debate over whether Trump crossed a legal line is likely to intensify. For now, the episode highlights once again how presidential pardons can become entangled with political calculations and how those entanglements continue to spark fierce criticism from legal experts.
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