Sen. Bob Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat charged with taking bribes from a longtime friend in exchange for political favors, says he will be vindicated and that he won't stop pushing against the White House on Cuba and Iran.
Appearing on
"Fox News Sunday," Menendez insisted he "absolutely" did not betray the public trust by accepting almost $1 million and private jet flights from Florida physician Salomon Melgen.
"I know that I will be vindicated, and we will win," Menendez said.
The indictment claims Menendez helped his friend by trying to intervene in a Medicare billing dispute and a port security contract in the Dominican Republic.
Menendez allies have claimed there is no proof of a quid quo pro, and that Menendez's actions are not uncommon for members of Congress. They say the senator was targeted by the Obama administration for opposing the White House on Cuban and Iran policy.
Asked about that theory by host Chris Wallace, Menendez replied, "It’s very clear I have very strong views about democracy and human rights in Cuba and a policy that I think undermines our efforts to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba. About a very clear concern to the national interests of the United States and our ally, the State of Israel, about Iran and its nuclear weapon ambitions."
But, he said, "I cannot image that an administration, this or any other, would go to such lengths and undermine our constitutional democracy."
Still, he will not back down from an effort to have an Iran nuclear deal approved by Congress.
Menendez and Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker have authored a bill to require just that.
"I honestly believe it is a congressional duty ... to review whatever agreement comes about," he said.
As for President Barack Obama's weekend meeting with Cuba's Raul Castro, Corker said, "If you're going to give the Cubans just about everything they want … then you should have gotten something significant in return."
Even during the just concluded Summit of the Americas, "human rights activists and political dissidents were attacked by Castro's bullies," Menendez said.