The leader of the House Democratic Caucus defended Rep. Henry Cuellar's right to stay in Congress during his criminal trial, stating that the Texas Democrat is presumed innocent like all Americans.
“He’s allowed to defend himself, he’s allowed to be assumed innocent,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told reporters in the Capitol. “Just like any American, he's entitled to that assumption. I think that’s the overwhelming sentiment of House Democrats at this time.”
Aguilar has been stricter on other lawmakers under indictment recently. He supported the expulsion of former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) in December and last September he called for the resignation of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.). Both are facing federal charges related to financial corruption.
Aguilar defended that distinction, saying the circumstances surrounding Cuellar’s indictment are “very different” from those of the other two. He characterized Cuellar as a serious legislator with a long history of public service, in contrast to the first-term Santos, who had fabricated large parts of his biography to gain a campaign edge.
“He has deep relationships … on both sides of the aisle. We know that he is a serious public official, public servant. And I think that’s what sets this apart from other issues and the silliness of George Santos that we had in the past. And I think that’s why many of us are treating this a little different,” Aguilar said. “The substance of the allegations is very different, but the individuals are also night and day.”
Pressed about the distinction surrounding the Menendez indictment, Aguilar suggested the evidence in that case — which included publicly released Justice Department photos of cash and gold bars allegedly stashed by the New Jersey senator — set it apart from Cuellar’s indictment.
“I think that these are very different,” Aguilar said. “There were some pictures and there were some things that were very different with respect to the allegations. So, look, he’s entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
The comments echo those of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who had 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, along with his wife Imelda, were indicted on Friday on federal charges of bribery, money laundering and foreign influence peddling. The Justice Department has 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, Rep. Cuellar used his influence in Congress to push for policies beneficial to both, according to the DOJ.
Both Cuellars appeared in court in Houston on Friday, and were released after posting a $100,000 bond. Both have denied any wrongdoing, although Cuellar has stepped down from his committee assignments in the Capitol while the legal process runs its course.
Aguilar said that was the correct action to take.
Aguilar mentioned, "The allegations are very serious and the Democratic Caucus handles them with the highest respect. He deserves the presumption of innocence, just like any American."
Santos, on the other hand, accuses Democrats of double standards by supporting his removal while defending Cuellar's right to keep his seat during the legal process.
However, former President Trump, who faces numerous charges, is rushing to Cuellar's defense, claiming the Texas Democrat, who has consistently opposed his party on border security policies, is being targeted by a politicized DOJ.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform, "Biden indicted Henry Cuellar because the respected Democrat Congressman wouldn't play Crooked Joe's Open Border game. They wanted to use the FBI and DOJ to take him out because he was for Border Control. This is their modus operandi." posted Trump made this statement on his Truth Social platform: "Biden just Indicted Henry Cuellar because the Respected Democrat Congressman wouldn’t play Crooked Joe’s Open Border game." He added, "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."
