Christian Smith
The head of the House Democratic Caucus defended Rep. Henry Cuellar’s (D-Texas) right to remain in Congress while his criminal trial runs its course, saying the Texas Democrat — recently indicted on bribery and foreign influence charges — is presumed innocent “just like every American.”
“He has the right to defend himself, he has the right to the presumption of innocence,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told reporters at the Capitol. “Like every American, he is entitled to this presumption. I think that’s the overwhelming feeling among House Democrats right now.”
Aguilar has been tougher on other lawmakers facing charges in recent months. He supported the expulsion of former congressman George Santos (RN.Y.) in December and a few months earlier, he resigned by Senator Bob Menendez (DN.J.). Both face federal charges related to financial corruption.
Aguilar defended that distinction, saying the circumstances surrounding Cuellar’s accusation are “very different” than those of the other two. He characterized Cuellar as a serious lawmaker with a long history of public service, in contrast to the first-term Santos, who invented large parts of his biography to gain electoral advantage.
“He has deep relationships…on both sides of the aisle. We know that he is a serious public servant, a public servant. And I think that’s what sets this apart from other issues and the George Santos nonsense that we’ve had in the past. And I think that’s why a lot of us are approaching this a little differently,” Aguilar said. “The substance of the accusations is very different, but the individuals are also night and day.”
Pressed on the distinction surrounding the Menéndez charge, Aguilar suggested that the evidence in that case — which included publicly released photos by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of cash and gold bars allegedly hidden by the New Jersey senator — differentiated it from the charge of Cuellar.
“I think they’re very different,” Aguilar said. “There were some photos and some things that were very different from the accusations. So, you see, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
The comments echo those of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.), who issued a brief statement shortly after Cuellar’s indictment describing him as “a valued member” of the party.
“Like any American, Congressman Cuellar is entitled to his day in court and the presumption of innocence throughout the legal process,” Jeffries said.
Cuellar and his wife Imelda were indicted Friday in Texas on federal charges of bribery, money laundering and foreign influence peddling. The DOJ accused the pair of accepting $600,000 in bribes from two separate companies – a Mexican bank and an oil company run by the Azerbaijani government. In return, Cuellar used his influence in Congress to promote policies beneficial to both parties, according to the DOJ.
Both Cuellars appeared in court in Houston on Friday and were released after posting $100,000 bail. Both have denied any wrongdoing, although Cuellar has resigned his committee assignments on Capitol Hill while the legal process takes its course.
That, Aguilar said, was “the right thing” to do.
“These are incredibly serious allegations and the Democratic Caucus treats them with the utmost respect,” Aguilar said. “He is entitled to that presumption of innocence, as any American would be. [be].”
Santos, in turn, accuses Democrats of hypocrisy for supporting his expulsion while defending Cuellar’s right to keep his seat as the courts move forward.
But former President Trump, who has been indicted on dozens of charges, is rushing to Cuellar’s defense, saying the Texas Democrat — whose support for tougher border security policies has long run counter to his party’s platform — is the victim of a “Armed” DOJ.
“Biden just indicted Henry Cuellar because the respected Democratic congressman wouldn’t play Crooked Joe’s open border game,” Trump posted on your Truth Social Site. “He worked for Border Control, so they said, ‘We’re going to use the FBI and DOJ to take him out!’ That’s how they operate.”
