Don’t you just love that scene in an action movie when the evil villain’s plans blow up in his own face? Of course, you do.

And when the villain is none other than Sadist-in-Chief Donald Trump, that moment is especially gratifying.

A little background: Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar, a conservative Democrat, has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas’ 28th Congressional District since 2005. In May of 2024, during the Biden administration, Cuellar was indicted on charges of money laundering, bribery and conspiracy by a federal grand jury in Houston, Texas. The indictment alleged that he had accepted some $600,000 from Azerbaijan and a Mexican commercial bank to influence U.S. policy. His criminal trial was scheduled to begin in April of 2026.

In a preemptive action, Donald Trump decided on December 3rd to pardon Cuellar before he could be tried and possibly convicted, saying that he had been politically targeted by the Biden administration after he “bravely spoke out against Open Borders.” [Grace Eliza Goodwin, BBC, December 7, 2025.]

Wait . . . what?!! Trump pardoned a Democrat? And praised him for speaking out against administration policy? Really?

Well, yes. But it was the Biden administration’s policy, remember. And Cuellar is a conservative Democrat, representing a large swath of a state that is already engaged in blatant, illegal, racial gerrymandering in order to ensure a substantial Republican majority in the House of Representatives following next year’s mid-term elections. And in return for that pardon, Trump clearly anticipated that Cuellar would show his gratitude by switching his party affiliation.

But Cuellar — whether or not guilty of the crimes specified in the indictment — apparently has a mind of his own, and some measure of political integrity. Because, just hours after receiving his pardon, he filed for re-election . . . as a Democrat.

And Donald Trump, predictably, exploded on social media:

“Such a lack of LOYALTY. Oh well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy.” [Id.]

Right . . . as though he ever, in his entire life, has done anything for anyone out of the goodness of his heart, without a self-serving ulterior motive.

This time, however, in his ongoing effort to sabotage the entire Democratic party, Trump’s weapon backfired.

I’m afraid Congressman Cuellar may not have heard the last of Donald Trump; as a “conservative” Democrat, he might still be amenable to voting on specific issues across party lines . . . and you can bet your Aunt Fanny that he will be under constant pressure from above to do just that.

But for now, he can stand tall for not having immediately sold out.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/9/25