Trump interferes with House GOP messaging on Cuellar indictment
Trump interferes with House GOP messaging on Cuellar indictment
Former President Trump called indicted Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) a “Respected Democrat Congressman” in a Truth Social post on Sunday and argued that he was singled out because of his border policies.
Why it matters: Trump’s rare defense of a vulnerable Democratic lawmaker runs counter to Republicans’ desire to pressure Democrats to call for Cuellar’s removal.
- The National Republican Congressional Committee plans to accuse Democrats of a double standard if they stay mum on Cuellar following their pressure on ex-Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to resign, Politico reports.
Driving the news: Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Department of Justice indicted Cuellar “because the Respected Democrat Congressman wouldn’t play Crooked Joe’s Open Border game.”
- “He was for Border Control, so they said, “Let’s use the FBI and DOJ to take him out!” This is the way they operate,” Trump wrote.
Catch up quick: Cuellar and his wife were indicted last week on conspiracy and bribery charges.
- The Justice Department alleged that Cuellar took nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijani government-controlled oil company and a Mexican bank.
- In return, prosecutors allege that Cuellar agreed to “influence U.S. foreign policy in favor of Azerbaijan” and advance the bank’s interests in the U.S., per the indictment.
Between the lines: Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, faces four criminal indictments. He has repeatedly presented himself as the victim of politically motivated prosecutors.
What to watch: Cuellar, who has denied wrongdoing, said that he still plans to run for re-election in November.
- At least one Democrat, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) has already called for Cuellar to resign over the charges.
Go deeper: Democratic Rep. Cuellar indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges
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