President Trump blasted Rep. Henry Cuellar on Sunday for "a lack of LOYALTY" days after he pardoned the Texas Democrat in a shock move last week.
The big picture: Trump signaled he expects loyalty in return for his pardons and that he's willing to threaten "no more Mr. Nice guy" if he doesn't get it.
Driving the news: Trump raged Sunday on Truth Social over Cuellar running for reelection as a Democrat, hours before Cuellar told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News he's still a Democrat.
- "Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry's daughters, will not like," the president wrote.
- Trump re-shared a letter from Cuellar's daughters that he said motivated him to pardon the congressman and his wife. They were accused of taking nearly $600,000 in bribes from an Azerbaijani oil company and a Mexican bank.
- Trump wrote that "God was very happy with me" over the pardon.
What's inside: In the letter posted by the president, Cuellar's daughters argued their father's "independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began," citing his criticism of the Biden administration's border policies.
- In pardoning Cuellar, Trump claimed the congressman was prosecuted because he "bravely spoke out against ... the Biden Border 'Catastrophe.'"
Catch up quick: The DOJ alleged in an indictment last year that Cuellar and his wife engaged in bribery and money laundering schemes to influence U.S. policy in favor of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank.
What he's saying: "I don't vote party," Cuellar told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." "I vote for what's right for the country."
- He said he remains a "conservative Democrat" who will work with the administration.
Yes, but: The president signaled Cuellar wouldn't get such a friendly reception from the Oval Office for "continuing to work with the same Radical Left Scum that just weeks before wanted him and his wife to spend the rest of their lives in Prison."
- Loyalty is a key word — and quality — in Trump's White House. Trump has taken a transactional approach to leadership, and it seems he's dissatisfied with Cuellar's response.
Friction point: The pardon could be a roadblock for Republicans seeking to flip Cuellar's South Texas seat.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Axios' Kate Santaliz and Hans Nichols even he knew nothing about the clemency action before it was announced but that it shouldn't be a "huge surprise."
- Trump criticized the indictment when it happened, calling Cuellar a "Respected Democrat Congressman."
Go deeper: MAGA loyalty test
