Email
MRT 7/16/25 (free): DOJ to Proceed with Cuellar Prosecution // D-FW #1 in U.S. in New Home Permits // Cornyn Announces Slew of Border Endorsements // Uvalde County Ordered to Release Shooting Records
| From | Must Read Texas <[email protected]> |
| Subject | MRT 7/16/25 (free): DOJ to Proceed with Cuellar Prosecution // D-FW #1 in U.S. in New Home Permits // Cornyn Announces Slew of Border Endorsements // Uvalde County Ordered to Release Shooting Records |
| Date | July 17, 2025 12:02 AM |
Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
**[Subscribe to the daily email here]([link removed])****.**
———————————————————————————
**WEDNESDAY **|** **7/16/2025
———————————————————————————
**Good Wednesday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]) and you will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
———————————————————————————
_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_
———————————————————————————
**AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED**
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to [ATX Pulse]([link removed]), a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ __[ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed])__.
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email [here]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here.]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**“Justice Dept. to Move Ahead with Bribery Case Against Cuellar,” **New York Times' **Glenn Thrush **— “The Justice Department is moving ahead with its bribery case against Representative **Henry Cuellar** after an internal debate, despite President Trump’s public expressions of support for the embattled Democrat from Texas, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
The department is, however, expected to withdraw charges against Mr. Cuellar under the Foreign Agents Registration Act stemming from his business dealings with Azerbaijan and Mexican citizens in accordance with Attorney General** Pam Bondi’s **blanket order to scale back such prosecutions under the law, those people said.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
In May 2024, Mr. Cuellar and his wife,** Imelda**, [were indicted by a federal grand jury in Houston]([link removed]) on charges of participating in a yearslong $600,000 bribery scheme involving Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. The congressman, who, as a native of Laredo, represents a swing district on the southern border at the center of Mr. Trump’s immigration push, was accused of bribery and money laundering on behalf of an oil and gas company owned by Azerbaijan’s leaders.
Shortly after Ms. Bondi announced in February that she would narrow enforcement of foreign lobbying and bribery laws, a lawyer for Mr. Cuellar [suggested he would assess the new tack]([link removed]) and determine whether to raise it with the department.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
In mid-May of this year, **Matthew R. Galeotti**, an assistant attorney general, told Mr. Cuellar’s legal team that prosecutors in the department’s criminal and national security divisions had rejected the congressman’s request that the case be dismissed, according to people briefed on the exchange who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
The dismissal request by Mr. Cuellar’s lawyer, **Seth D. DuCharme** — the former top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York — tracked closely with Mr. Trump’s own legal and political strategy. He claimed that the Biden administration had weaponized the Justice Department to target Mr. Cuellar, the people familiar with the matter said.
Mr. DuCharme appealed the decision up the department’s chain of command. The department’s political leadership accepted Mr. Galeotti’s determination that the bribery charges were firmly supported by evidence, but reversed his decision to proceed with the prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, overruling** John A. Eisenberg**, the head of the national security division.
That was not surprising: In February, [Ms. Bondi signed a directive]([link removed]) ordering that prosecutions under the foreign agents law “shall be limited to instances of alleged conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors.”
A spokesman for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr. DuCharme declined to comment." [NYT]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS**
**“D-FW tops nation in new home permits” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**“New execution date set for Texas man Robert Roberson in shaken baby syndrome case” **[AP]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
“**Mayors petition Abbott to revive DART funding, governance bills in Texas’ special session**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Texas court orders Uvalde County, schools to release shooting records” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **2026 **
“**Border Patrol Union, Sheriffs, Former Texas DPS Head Endorse Cornyn in U.S. Senate Race**” [The Texan]([link removed])
“**Big money shaping GOP primaries for Texas attorney general, comptroller**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **BUSINESS NEWS **
“**$440M data center going up in Elon Musk’s suburban Austin stronghold**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
“**Apple strikes $500M deal to source rare-earth materials from Fort Worth facility**” [Bloomberg wire]([link removed]) ($)
“**D-FW online gun seller goes public with backing from Donald Trump Jr.**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**‘We've turned closets and hallways into housing and office space’: Montgomery County officials explore jail solutions amid overcrowding**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Texas AG Ken Paxton opens investigation into allegations of 'potential noncitizens' voting in Harris County**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Trump wants five more GOP congressional seats in Texas redistricting**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Ted Cruz Aims to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organization**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas, National Democrats Coalesce Against GOP Congressional Redistricting Effort**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**State Sen. Nathan Johnson first Democrat to get into attorney general race**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Nathan Johnson Announces Democratic Run for Texas Attorney General**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Former Dallas police chief Eddie García a finalist for the Fort Worth position**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Boerne council member resigns; council will appoint replacement**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Live Updates: Death toll from Texas floods hits 133, and 97 people are still missing in Kerr County**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Climate change and the Guadalupe River flash flood**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Gov. Greg Abbott tours flood-ravaged Leander area, gives updates**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**US Rep. Escobar joins Florida Republican in presenting bipartisan immigration reform bill**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> SA REPORT: "**Trump's redistricting plan could affect San Antonio districts**" _[SA REPORT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Draft Legislation for the Establishment of CBI/CIP Regulator Now Available for Public Comment**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**‘Bomb threats’ at Kyle city hall cancels Tuesday council meeting, Mayor says**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Harris County Precinct 4 to host FY 2025-26 budget town halls**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Tropical threat may become Dexter. Texas should pay attention.**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texas Hill Country rivers rise as new storms trigger flash flood warnings**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**Rio Grande Valley’s biggest free health clinic event of the year is canceled due to federal cuts**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Landlords poised to retake upper hand as apartment demand surges**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Wildfire that destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge spread after being allowed to burn for days**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Texas DNA expert backs Rodney Reed’s call for more testing**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Central Texas students, schools step up to help after deadly floods**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> WACO TRIB: "**Mike Shields, Reicher alum and beloved Centex coach, dies after cancer battle**" _[WACO TRIB]([link removed])_
> MRT: "**Armies of Texas volunteers dig out, clean up, after fatal floods**" _[MRT]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Dallas’ Nirav Tolia is back at Nextdoor with a new look for neighborhood connecting tech**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Southlake-based bilingual, STEAM-focused preschool to open in August**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**As Texans seek to rebuild in floodplains, local governments face safety challenges**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> MRT: "**Texas authorities foil plot to kill man with fentanyl-laced chocolates**" _[MRT]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Cibolo launches new small business grant program**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports schedule:
None.
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: WNBA: Las Vegas at **Dallas**
> 7:30pm: MLS: Vancouver at **Houston**
> 9:30pm: MLS: **Austin** at LA FC (Apple TV)
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
None.
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Rangers to pay out Nathan Eovaldi’s All-Star bonus despite lacking official recognition" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Everything fans should know about Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "The wait is over for Texas and Arch Manning, though quarterback admits it wasn’t easy being backup" [AP]([link removed])
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "SEC media days: Texas RB CJ Baxter 'is exactly on track' after injury" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: Sherrington: "Many expect Arch Manning to be great. Just good might be enough for Texas to win in 2025" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
Caption:
[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
**[Subscribe to the daily email here]([link removed])****.**
———————————————————————————
**WEDNESDAY **|** **7/16/2025
———————————————————————————
**Good Wednesday evening.**
_Thank you for reading as a FREE subscriber._
» Become a PAID subscriber for $7/mo or $70/yr [here]([link removed]) and you will SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.
———————————————————————————
_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_
———————————————————————————
**AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED**
Are you one of the 100,000+ subscribers to [ATX Pulse]([link removed]), a newsletter that delivers EVERYTHING you NEED TO KNOW about Austin?
View image: ([link removed])
Caption:
_Subscriptions are $5/mo, $50/yr or $199/lifetime here:_ __[ATXpulsepremium.com]([link removed])__.
> Read the most recent FREE subscriber email [here]([link removed]).
> Become a PAID subscriber for $5/mo or $50/yr [here.]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS **
**“Justice Dept. to Move Ahead with Bribery Case Against Cuellar,” **New York Times' **Glenn Thrush **— “The Justice Department is moving ahead with its bribery case against Representative **Henry Cuellar** after an internal debate, despite President Trump’s public expressions of support for the embattled Democrat from Texas, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
The department is, however, expected to withdraw charges against Mr. Cuellar under the Foreign Agents Registration Act stemming from his business dealings with Azerbaijan and Mexican citizens in accordance with Attorney General** Pam Bondi’s **blanket order to scale back such prosecutions under the law, those people said.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $7/mo]([link removed])
In May 2024, Mr. Cuellar and his wife,** Imelda**, [were indicted by a federal grand jury in Houston]([link removed]) on charges of participating in a yearslong $600,000 bribery scheme involving Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. The congressman, who, as a native of Laredo, represents a swing district on the southern border at the center of Mr. Trump’s immigration push, was accused of bribery and money laundering on behalf of an oil and gas company owned by Azerbaijan’s leaders.
Shortly after Ms. Bondi announced in February that she would narrow enforcement of foreign lobbying and bribery laws, a lawyer for Mr. Cuellar [suggested he would assess the new tack]([link removed]) and determine whether to raise it with the department.
» [BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER: $70/yr]([link removed])
In mid-May of this year, **Matthew R. Galeotti**, an assistant attorney general, told Mr. Cuellar’s legal team that prosecutors in the department’s criminal and national security divisions had rejected the congressman’s request that the case be dismissed, according to people briefed on the exchange who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
The dismissal request by Mr. Cuellar’s lawyer, **Seth D. DuCharme** — the former top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York — tracked closely with Mr. Trump’s own legal and political strategy. He claimed that the Biden administration had weaponized the Justice Department to target Mr. Cuellar, the people familiar with the matter said.
Mr. DuCharme appealed the decision up the department’s chain of command. The department’s political leadership accepted Mr. Galeotti’s determination that the bribery charges were firmly supported by evidence, but reversed his decision to proceed with the prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, overruling** John A. Eisenberg**, the head of the national security division.
That was not surprising: In February, [Ms. Bondi signed a directive]([link removed]) ordering that prosecutions under the foreign agents law “shall be limited to instances of alleged conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors.”
A spokesman for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr. DuCharme declined to comment." [NYT]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
**FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED**_: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries._
———————————————————————————
* **TOP NEWS**
**“D-FW tops nation in new home permits” **[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**“New execution date set for Texas man Robert Roberson in shaken baby syndrome case” **[AP]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **#TXLEGE **
“**Mayors petition Abbott to revive DART funding, governance bills in Texas’ special session**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT **
**“Texas court orders Uvalde County, schools to release shooting records” **[AAS]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **2026 **
“**Border Patrol Union, Sheriffs, Former Texas DPS Head Endorse Cornyn in U.S. Senate Race**” [The Texan]([link removed])
“**Big money shaping GOP primaries for Texas attorney general, comptroller**” [Texas Tribune]([link removed])
———————————————————————————
* **BUSINESS NEWS **
“**$440M data center going up in Elon Musk’s suburban Austin stronghold**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
“**Apple strikes $500M deal to source rare-earth materials from Fort Worth facility**” [Bloomberg wire]([link removed]) ($)
“**D-FW online gun seller goes public with backing from Donald Trump Jr.**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———————————————————————————
* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**‘We've turned closets and hallways into housing and office space’: Montgomery County officials explore jail solutions amid overcrowding**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Texas AG Ken Paxton opens investigation into allegations of 'potential noncitizens' voting in Harris County**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Trump wants five more GOP congressional seats in Texas redistricting**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Ted Cruz Aims to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organization**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**Texas lawmaker proposes beefing up temporary worker program to ease farm labor shortages**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Texas, National Democrats Coalesce Against GOP Congressional Redistricting Effort**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**State Sen. Nathan Johnson first Democrat to get into attorney general race**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Nathan Johnson Announces Democratic Run for Texas Attorney General**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Former Dallas police chief Eddie García a finalist for the Fort Worth position**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> SAEN: "**Boerne council member resigns; council will appoint replacement**" _[SAEN]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Live Updates: Death toll from Texas floods hits 133, and 97 people are still missing in Kerr County**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> TPR: "**Climate change and the Guadalupe River flash flood**" _[TPR]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Gov. Greg Abbott tours flood-ravaged Leander area, gives updates**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> EP TIMES: "**US Rep. Escobar joins Florida Republican in presenting bipartisan immigration reform bill**" _[EP TIMES]([link removed])_
> SA REPORT: "**Trump's redistricting plan could affect San Antonio districts**" _[SA REPORT]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Draft Legislation for the Establishment of CBI/CIP Regulator Now Available for Public Comment**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**‘Bomb threats’ at Kyle city hall cancels Tuesday council meeting, Mayor says**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Harris County Precinct 4 to host FY 2025-26 budget town halls**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Tropical threat may become Dexter. Texas should pay attention.**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Texas Hill Country rivers rise as new storms trigger flash flood warnings**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> TX TRIB: "**Rio Grande Valley’s biggest free health clinic event of the year is canceled due to federal cuts**" _[TX TRIB]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Landlords poised to retake upper hand as apartment demand surges**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Wildfire that destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge spread after being allowed to burn for days**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Texas DNA expert backs Rodney Reed’s call for more testing**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Central Texas students, schools step up to help after deadly floods**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> WACO TRIB: "**Mike Shields, Reicher alum and beloved Centex coach, dies after cancer battle**" _[WACO TRIB]([link removed])_
> MRT: "**Armies of Texas volunteers dig out, clean up, after fatal floods**" _[MRT]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Dallas’ Nirav Tolia is back at Nextdoor with a new look for neighborhood connecting tech**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Southlake-based bilingual, STEAM-focused preschool to open in August**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**As Texans seek to rebuild in floodplains, local governments face safety challenges**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> MRT: "**Texas authorities foil plot to kill man with fentanyl-laced chocolates**" _[MRT]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Cibolo launches new small business grant program**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
———————————————————————————
* **EXTRA POINTS**
Recent Texas sports schedule:
None.
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: WNBA: Las Vegas at **Dallas**
> 7:30pm: MLS: Vancouver at **Houston**
> 9:30pm: MLS: **Austin** at LA FC (Apple TV)
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
None.
**TEXAS RANGERS**: "Rangers to pay out Nathan Eovaldi’s All-Star bonus despite lacking official recognition" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Everything fans should know about Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "The wait is over for Texas and Arch Manning, though quarterback admits it wasn’t easy being backup" [AP]([link removed])
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: "SEC media days: Texas RB CJ Baxter 'is exactly on track' after injury" [AAS]([link removed]) ($)
**TEXAS FOOTBALL**: Sherrington: "Many expect Arch Manning to be great. Just good might be enough for Texas to win in 2025" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
———
You are reading a plain text version of this post. For the best experience, copy and paste this link in your browser to view the post online:
[link removed]
Message Analysis
- Sender: n/a
- Political Party: n/a
- Country: n/a
- State/Locality: n/a
- Office: n/a