OAN's Taylor Tinsley
12:02 PM – Tuesday, January 9, 2023
Sen. Bob Menendez, speaking on the Senate floor over corruption charges, said he was innocent and he was going to prove it.
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On Tuesday, Sen. Menendez (DN.J.) claimed that the government's tactics against him are damaging the political system.
“U.S. prosecutors are engaged in persecution, not prosecution,” Menendez said.
His speech came as Menendez and his wife face multiple corruption charges. He is accused of using his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to obtain benefits from the Egyptian government and of accepting bribes.
A superseding indictment, however, accused Democrats of helping orchestrate a deal between the Qatari government and a New Jersey real estate developer.
Mr. Menendez presented his defense, arguing that all of the information mentioned in the superseding indictment was available to the Department of Justice from the beginning.
“Why didn't the government move forward with all these charges from the beginning?” he asked. “The answer is clear to me. Filing three indictments will allow the government to continue reporting sensational stories. It will poison the jury and convict me in the court of public opinion.” I'm trying to bring it down.”
The 70-year-old held both countries accountable and maintained a firm stance on human rights.
He highlighted the Senate and Parliamentary delegations that visited Egypt in 2021 and 2023. Menendez argued that his indictment “obviously does not mention” the moment he clashed with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi over the deteriorating human rights situation.
“You cannot challenge the leaders of an authoritarian state in public and among other members of Congress and act against their interests, while at the same time acting as an agent of that foreign government,” Menendez said. did.
The embattled senator became emotional near the end of his speech, but vowed he had not taken the easy route and had no plans to start anytime soon.
“After 50 years in public office, I did not want to celebrate my golden 50th anniversary in this way,” Menendez said. “But I never betrayed the trust of society. I was for the Motherland and a patriot of the Motherland.”
Mr. Menendez resigned from his post as commissioner, but he maintains his innocence and refuses to do so.
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