U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), who was indicted final Might on fees of bribery, illegal international affect and cash laundering, has as soon as once more had his trial delayed.
It was initially anticipated to start in July, then was rescheduled for March, and most just lately, moved to September. Jury trial and choice are reset to Sept. 22. A ultimate interim pretrial convention has been reset to Might 2.
For Cuellar, whose South Texas district was a prime goal for nationwide Republicans in 2022, the political implications of a shifting trial have been enormous.
Republicans had moved on from the district after his decisive victory final cycle, then put him again on their 2024 goal listing when he was headed to trial in July, and deserted ship once more after the trial was pushed again to after the election. He was reelected this November with 52.8% of the vote.
Now, with President-elect Donald Trump headed again to the White Home, the congressman is projecting newfound confidence in his scenario.
The politically reasonable Cuellar has been a uncommon Democratic proponent of strict safety measures. Trump, who was one in every of Cuellar’s early defenders after the indictment, advised the Congressman was being punished for these views by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Cuellar’s workplace introduced Tuesday that he plans to restart his public media briefings, which they’ve dubbed “Conversations with Cuellar,” beginning this week. The primary one shall be performed nearly on Wednesday.
As a member of the Home Appropriations Committee, the press launch stated Cuellar plans to debate an upcoming spending invoice.
In an interview final fall, Cuellar boasted to the San Antonio Report that he has such optimistic relationships throughout the aisle, he’d have the ability to use that place to convey cash dwelling to the district regardless of the end result of the presidential race.
“When you take a look at my report, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat or Republican [in the White House], I can nonetheless get the job accomplished,” Cuellar stated in an interview final fall. “I get criticized for being bipartisan, however on the finish of the day, … my job is to convey down funding.”
