Trump's pardon of House Dem Cuellar back in the spotlight as Cuellar's brother faces indictment

Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr. was indicted after he and his assistant chief, Alejandro Gutierrez, allegedly used public funds, staff and resources to run a for-profit disinfecting business called Disinfect Pro Master during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Justice Department (DOJ). 

Disinfect Pro Master entered into service agreements with local businesses, even a school district, but allegedly never had any employees or supplies of its own. The school district contract secured Cuellar and Gutierrez a half million dollars, but the DOJ said they completed the work using county staff and resources. 

Cuellar is a border town sheriff out of Laredo, Texas, which is also part of his brother's congressional district. Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife were recently pardoned by President Trump after they were accused by the Biden administration DOJ of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijan government-controlled oil and gas company and a Mexico City-headquartered bank. 

In a statement released by the sheriff after he appeared in court this week, Cuellar vehemently defended himself and insisted that he would be "fully vindicated."

"Over the course of my career - as a Texas State Trooper, a narcotics Sergeant investigator, Narcotics Lieutenant and now as your Sheriff - I have learned the difference between what is right and what is wrong, and I know what I did and did not do," the statement says. 

"While this process moves forward, I ask the public to let the facts - not rumors, not speculation - guide their judgement. My responsibility remains the same as it was yesterday and the day before. … I remain fully engaged in my duties and in communication with the community. Public safety does not pause, and neither does my commitment to this office."

Congressman Cuellar's office also released a statement echoing his brother's comments, adding that he has "a deep respect for the law" and would be vindicated in the end. 

However, after Cuellar decided a few days later to run for re-election as a Democrat, the president had some choice words for him. 

"Such a lack of LOYALTY," Trump subsequently posted on his platform, Truth Social.

"The Cuellar Crime Family will screw over small businesses and local schools if it means enriching themselves," Republican National Committee spokesperson Zachary Kraft said.

"South Texans deserve leaders focused on serving taxpayers, not those focused on finding new ways to illegally funnel money into their own pockets," he continued. "Voters are going to send a strong message in November that they've had enough of the family who puts their self-interests above South Texas values."