Congress must complete the bipartisan investigation of Representative Henry Cuellar’s alleged violations of federal criminal and ethics law that resulted in his indictment, despite him receiving a presidential pardon, according to a letter CREW submitted to the House Ethics Committee.

Following an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the federal grand jury’s indictment of Rep. Cuellar in 2024 for his alleged acceptance of nearly $600,000 in bribes from a company controlled by a foreign government and foreign bank, CREW called on Cuellar to resign from office. Rather than resigning, soon after President Trump’s pardon, Cuellar announced that he will seek another term in public office. The indictment’s allegations that he abused his power to enrich himself and benefit foreign interests have continued to undermine public trust in Congress.

Although Cuellar has not been convicted and can no longer be prosecuted by the executive branch after receiving a preemptive presidential pardon, Congress must still fully investigate the allegations. Separate from criminal prosecutions, the Constitution grants the House independent  authority to police the ethical conduct of its members by determining the rules of its proceedings, punishing members for disorderly behavior and if the situation necessitates it, expelling a member. 

President’s Trump pardon of Rep. Cuellar prevented a fair trial and verdict on the corruption charges. Trump has repeatedly granted clemency to public officials accused or convicted of public corruption crimes, prompting serious concerns about his political motivations and more broadly, politicization of the judicial process. CREW urges the House Ethics Committee to expeditiously continue its investigation of Cuellar’s alleged illegal and unethical conduct, committing itself to the fight against corruption in our public institutions and restoring the public’s faith in its elected officials.

Read the letter here.

Header photo screenshot courtesy of C-Span.

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