The FBI confirmed early Thursday that they’d conducted a search at the Texas home of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas., on Wednesday.
An agency spokeswoman called that activity a “court-authorized law enforcement activity.”
Agents are still in and around the home. Some more showed up a few moments ago.
Can’t see what’s happening inside but some agents came outside with a clipboard and camera to snap pics of the two trucks out front. pic.twitter.com/4XVwW0xQw7
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) January 19, 2022
A reporter for The Monitor of McAllen, Texas, which first reported the operation, said that more than a dozen federal agents were seen passing in and out of Cuellar’s home, carrying cases and other items.
Photos of the FBI agents carrying boxes and full bags out of Cuellar’s home were shared on social media —
By around 7:30 p.m., a group of agents loaded large bags, plastic bins, and a computer into a federal vehicle. Others appeared to be logging the items. pic.twitter.com/dFlGWRnOqK
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) January 20, 2022
“The FBI was present in the vicinity of Windridge Drive and Estate Drive in Laredo conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity,” spokeswoman Rosanne Hughes said. “The FBI cannot provide further comment on an ongoing investigation.”
Cuellar’s office issued a brief statement that did not directly address the location or nature of the search.
“Congressman Cuellar will fully cooperate in any investigation. He is committed to ensuring that justice and the law are upheld,” the statement read.
The statement, like the FBI, shed no light on what agents were seeking.
Since 2004, Cuellar has represented a district that extends from the U.S. border with Mexico near McAllen to Laredo, and north to San Antonio’s eastern outskirts. The moderate Democrat has a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
He has recently been very critical of President Joe Biden’s response to the U.S. Southern border crisis.
The Horn editorial team