Sen. Menendez defiant, answers bribery charges at news conference: VIDEO

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sen. Menendez told a news conference Monday that he is innocent of the bribery and corruption charges filed against him and that the approximately $500,000 in cash that was found in his home was withdrawn from his personal savings accounts over a number of years.

Updated: 25 SEP 23 12:22 ET

By Morgan Rimmer and Clare Foran, CNN

(CNN) — Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey remained defiant Monday after being indicted on bribery charges at the end of last week, calling the legal battle ahead his “biggest fight yet,” and said that he believes he will be exonerated.

“I recognize this will be the biggest fight yet,” Menendez said at a news conference Monday morning. “But as I have stated throughout this whole process, I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey’s senior senator.”

He accused those who “rushed to judgment” of doing so for “political expediency.” Multiple members of Congress’ New Jersey delegation have called on him to resign, and Rep. Andy Kim has announced that he is running for Menendez’s seat.