On May 5, 2024, Representative Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) called for Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to resign due to the recent indictment filed by the Justice Department.
Phillips stated that while the bar for federal indictment is high, trust in government is low, and therefore, individuals under indictment, including Cuellar, should resign or end their campaigns.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (Credits: Forbes)
This statement came after Cuellar and his wife were indicted on charges related to allegedly receiving bribes and laundering funds. The 14-count indictment alleges that Cuellar received payments from an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for influencing U.S. foreign policy and legislative activity.
Both Cuellar and his wife pleaded not guilty and were released on bond. Cuellar maintains that he and his wife did nothing wrong and that his actions in Congress were consistent with those of his colleagues and in the interest of the American people.
Henry Cuellar (Credits: Yahoo News Singapore)
He plans to run for reelection in November. It is important to note that an indictment is not a conviction, and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
