“Trump is Right!”

After his sentencing, former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez issued a strongly-worded statement declaring his innocence and denouncing the legal proceedings against him. “Regardless of the judge’s comments today, I am innocent and I look forward to filing appeals on a whole host of issues,” Menendez said. He described the entire process as a politically motivated “witch hunt” orchestrated by the Department of Justice. He accused the Southern District of New York’s prosecutors of pursuing personal political ambitions, singling out U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in particular.

“This whole process has been nothing but a political witch hunt… prosecutors are more interested in political scalps and preparing to run for public office, like Damian Williams,” said Menendez.

Menendez also alleged significant prosecutorial misconduct, claiming that illegal evidence had been submitted to the jury in violation of judicial orders and constitutional protections under the Speech and Debate Clause. “Only in the Southern District of New York could prosecutors send the jury illegal evidence… and have no accountability as to who, how, or what happened,” he asserted. He further criticized the prosecution for allowing an FBI agent, whom he claimed lied on the stand, to help build their case, and for giving immunity to a witness facing multiple criminal charges in exchange for testimony against him.

The former senator invoked former President Donald Trump’s frequent criticisms of the justice system, suggesting the case exemplified political corruption. “President Trump is right… this process is political and it’s corrupted to the core,” Menendez said. He expressed hope that Trump will reform the justice system and restore its integrity. Despite the conviction, Menendez reaffirmed his intention to appeal and to fight the charges in court.