Trump Pardons Cuellar: Bribery's New Bipartisan Consensus
Rep. Cuellar's indictment alleges he accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan's government and a Mexican bank. The Times frames this as a potential Trump chess move, overlooking the fact that Cuellar, despite his alleged foreign dealings, has been a reliable vote for certain bipartisan priorities that benefit foreign interests. For instance, he voted on July 13, 2023, for HR 4685,
authorizing $3.3 billion annually in security assistance to Israel. That's a curious alignment, given Cuellar's alleged transactional history. One might wonder if the 'bipartisan' agreement on funneling billions offshore allows for certain... peccadillos at home. When the D.C. establishment unites to ensure foreign aid flows, perhaps a little alleged quid pro quo with other foreign entities is
just part of the cost of doing business. After all, protecting 'national interests' often means protecting a very specific set of financial interests, regardless of party affiliation.