Former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) condemned his corruption conviction as a “political prosecution” and referenced President Donald Trump’s legal issues as evidence of a flawed justice system. Speaking outside a New York federal courthouse after being sentenced to 11 years in prison, Menendez expressed hope that Trump would “clean up the cesspool” and restore integrity to the system. Menendez was convicted in 2023 for accepting bribes from three businessmen in exchange for political favors, and for acting as an agent of Egypt during his time in office. He became the first public official in U.S. history convicted of serving as a foreign agent while in office.

Menendez’s legal troubles stemmed from an investigation into whether he used his Senate position for personal gain, including helping his wife in a state insurance fraud case. He was also accused of accepting bribes, and federal prosecutors in New York charged both Menendez and his wife with accepting “hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.”

Following the conviction, Menendez resigned from his Senate seat and relinquished his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein, while sentencing Menendez, remarked that the senator had once been at the pinnacle of the political system but lost his way by prioritizing personal gain over the public good.

Despite his conviction, Menendez has raised speculation about his future political plans, including possibly running as an independent in the next election. His legal expenses have sparked comparisons to Trump, who also faced legal battles while in office. Trump has not commented on Menendez’s case, and Menendez has not confirmed if he is seeking a pardon.