Thursday, December 4, 2025

Trump’s latest pardon confuses Capitol Hill–and makes Johnson’s job harder

Republicans didn't even have time to breathe a sigh of relief after Matt Van Epps held Tennessee’s 7th district in a special election Tuesday evening before Donald Trump blew up their chances at flipping another district.

On Wednesday, he pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), saying that the Biden administration investigated him because he criticized President Joe Biden’s policies on the border.

Cuellar was indicted last year for allegedly taking nearly $600,000 from an Azerbaijani-controlled company and a Mexican bank.

This is all part of Trump’s attempts to erase Biden’s legacy and, in fact, get back at his predecessor for what Trump perceives as personal slights.

There's just one problem: Texas's 28th district, which Cuellar occupies, is the exact type of district that Republicans have hoped to flip. Located right on the border of Mexico, the heavily Latino 28th district voted for Trump in 2024.

House Speaker Mike Johnson tried to brush off concerns when asked about the pardon.

“That has no effect on us at all,” Johnson told reporters. “That’s a very competitive district and we’ll have a strong candidate in that district and we’ll win it.” 

The pardon also puts Democrats in a tough spot defending someone Trump gave clemency to. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had backed Cuellar in the past, in a tough spot.

She was set to be a speaker at a virtual fundraiser for Cuellar. But a source familiar told Inside Washington she would no longer be participating, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be participating instead. 

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By Eric Garcia

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Daily briefing

Three key reasons why Trump won’t fire Pete Hegseth — for now

Trump’s desire to avoid anything resembling the chaos of his first term is keeping Pete Hegseth safely in the Pentagon, writes Andrew Feinberg ... at least for the next few months.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

 I think you’re going to find that this is war, that these people were killing our people by millions.

President Donald Trump as he ramps up his threats and attacks on Venezuela.

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