The remarks are a stark contrast from Jeffries’s criticisms of the scores of other pardons Trump has offered — mostly to his political allies — throughout his second term. Jeffries, joined by most Democrats in his caucus, has bashed those reprieves as both an affront to the nation’s criminal justice system and more evidence that the Trump administration is the most “corrupt” in the country’s history.

Cuellar and his wife Imelda were indicted in May 2024 on federal charges of bribery, money laundering and foreign influence peddling. The Justice Department accused the pair of accepting $600,000 in bribes from two separate businesses: a Mexican bank and a petroleum company run by the government of Azerbaijan. In return, Cuellar used his influence in Congress to push for policies beneficial to both, according to the Justice Department.

In announcing his pardon Wednesday, Trump [accused] Biden of using the Justice Department to target Cuellar because he “bravely spoke out against Open Borders.”

“Sleepy Joe went after the Congressman, and even the Congressman’s wonderful wife, Imelda, simply for speaking the TRUTH,” Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social account.

Archived at https://archive.is/1Zsoa

  • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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    1 day ago

    JFC Jeffries is actively harmful to the Democratic party. He brings nothing of value to the position and his association and role as one of its mouthpieces drags down the party image for people actually trying to fight for democracy.

      • Gates9@sh.itjust.works
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        1 day ago

        The Democratic Party leadership works in tandem with Republicans for the same objectives, while at the same time acting as a honeypot to capture and neutralize progressive candidates and policies.

  • BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    “Listen, the reality is [that] this indictment was very thin to begin with, in my view,” Jeffries told CNN.

    Then let him beat the fucking charges. Are we aiming for a justice system based on vibes now???

  • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    What a quagmire this pardon stuff is. Think he will pardon the entire executive branch and anyone who ever tangentially worked for him on his way out?

        • TotallynotJessica@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          24 hours ago

          The people who would ever need the pardon have nothing to offer him. There is no winning move working under Trump because he doesn’t owe his minions anything. The people loyal enough to still remain aren’t wise enough to know this.

          • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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            16 hours ago

            But they have something to offer the next fascist that comes along. Hence why I think someone or someone’s would open their wallet.