Dan Katz
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Cuellar and his wife had been accused of taking about $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company tied to the Azerbaijan government and from a bank in Mexico City.
Last week, the president said he's pardoning the couple.
But in a post on Truth Social Sunday, Trump slammed the congressman for running again as a Democrat, accusing Cuellar of choosing to work with the same party that, quote, wanted him and his wife to spend the rest of their lives in prison, unquote.
Cuellar told Fox News Sunday he's praying for the president and the country to be successful.
The pardon came a day after a Republican candidate, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, announced his bid to challenge Cuellar in the South Texas district that just became more competitive due to the GOP's mid-cycle redistricting.
Texas Republicans praised the ruling as a win for conservatives in Texas and nationally.
Democrats said it'll weaken representation for communities of color.
The decision may also influence who runs for Congress, with some incumbents now reconsidering their plans.
Texas Impact, a statewide interfaith advocacy group, says civic and faith organizations will now play a key role in helping voters understand the new districts.
Texas's mid-cycle redistricting also spurred California Democrats to advance their own congressional map, one that could net Democrats as many as five seats.
The court hearing on that map is scheduled for later this month.
Several Republican-led states are still weighing redistricting ahead of the 2026 election.
What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service.