Senator Bob Menendez (NJ-D) held a press conference Wednesday night to address the Department of Justice’s indictments against him earlier that day.

He said:

For nearly three years, I have lived under a Justice Department cloud. Today I am outraged that this cloud has not been lifted.

During the press conference Menendez was forced to stop a few times because of all of the supporters cheering him on.

Menendez believes the indictment is political payback:

I’m outraged that prosecutors at the Justice Department were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me, but I will not be silenced. I’m confident, at the end of the day, I will be vindicated and they will be exposed.

He also said:

I am angry and ready to fight . . . always conducted myself in accordance with the law.

Mendendez also feels federal prosecutors do not know the difference between corruption and friendship.

He is angry and ready to fight it out until the end.

I am not going anywhere. I’m angry and ready to fight, because today contradicts my public service career and my entire life.

All together Senator Mendendez is charged with 14 counts. They include honest services fraud and including conspiracy to commit bribery. All of the charges stem around his relationship with Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is standing behind Menendez as well. He said:

As I have said about both Democrats and Republicans, our justice system is premised on the principle until proven guilty and Sen. Menendez should not be judged until he has had his day in court.

With Menendez on defense, Democrats are worried about the nomination of Loretta Lynch for attorney general. The White House also fears now it is in jeopardy because they would need Menendez’s vote to get her approved. If Menendez decided to vote for her he would essentially be voting in the very person who will be trying to charge him with corruption.

Menendez has also been a very vocal with his stance against policies Obama has been supporting. Some speculate that behavior has led to his indictment.

In the past, Menendez has also been investigated for a prostitution scandal in 2013. As we reported, Menendez supporters blamed drug traffickers for fabricating the sex scandal.

Bob Menendez himself hinted the allegations made against him were coming from powerful outside figures with a lot of money. It was speculated he was hinting Fidel Castro and his brother Raul were behind the sex scandal attacks because of his strong position against their rule in Cuba.

You can read the full indictment here: Menendez indictment