Key takeaways:
- Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) asserted his innocence and asked his colleagues in Congress and in New Jersey to not rush to judgment.
- He expressed confidence that when all the facts are presented, he will be exonerated and remain New Jersey’s senior senator.
- He asked to be judged by the facts, not by innuendo and speculation.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) held a press conference Monday morning to address mounting calls for his resignation due to federal corruption charges. He asserted his innocence and asked his colleagues in Congress and in New Jersey to not rush to judgment.
“A cornerstone of the foundation of American democracy and our justice system is the principle that all people are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Menendez said. He also offered an explanation for the $480,000 in cash prosecutors said was found in his New Jersey home, “much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe.”
Menendez pushed back on the growing list of lawmakers calling on him to resign from office, saying they “rushed to judgment because they see a political opportunity for themselves or those around them.” He expressed confidence that when all the facts are presented, he will be exonerated and remain New Jersey’s senior senator.
“The court of public opinion is no substitute for our revered justice system,” Menendez said. “All I humbly ask for in this moment, in my 30th year of public service, is to be treated fairly and to be judged by the facts, not by innuendo and speculation.”
Menendez has served in the Senate since 2006 and is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is accused of accepting gifts and campaign contributions from a wealthy donor in exchange for political favors. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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