New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez (D), who has been hit with federal corruption charges related to a years-long scheme in which he allegedly accepted bribes, announced on Monday that he will not resign.
“All I humbly ask for in this moment, from my colleagues in Congress and those I have worked with for years, as well as each person who calls New Jersey home, is to pause and allow all the facts to be presented.”
Menendez also responded to allegations he passed sensitive information to the Egyptian government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, The New York Post reports.
“Throughout my time in Congress, I remained steadfast on the side of civil society and human rights defenders in Egypt, and everywhere else in the world,” he said. “If you look at my actions related to Egypt during the period described in this indictment, and throughout my whole career, my record is clear and consistent in holding Egypt accountable for its unjust detention of American citizens and others, its human rights abuses, its deepening relationship with Russia, and efforts that have eroded the independence of the judiciary, among a myriad of concerns.”
“Those now attempting to malign my actions as it relates to Egypt simply do not know the facts.”
Watch an excerpt from Menendez’s remarks below:
Sen. Menendez: "A cornerstone of the foundation of American democracy and our justice system is the principle that all people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court of public opinion is no substitute for our revered justice system. We cannot set aside the resumption… pic.twitter.com/wXZz60rXj1
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 25, 2023