WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar defended his party ties on Sunday as Republican President Donald Trump blasted the Texas lawmaker for maintaining his allegiance after being granted a pardon last week.

Trump, in a social media post earlier on Sunday, said he signed the pardon for the congressman and his wife Imelda without talking to Cuellar first only to see the lawmaker then announce plans to seek re-election as a Democrat.

“Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry’s daughters, will not like,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Oh’ well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy!”

The Cuellars were indicted last year on allegations that they accepted close to $600,000 in bribes in two schemes meant to benefit an Azerbaijani state-owned

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