Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Saturday in Iowa that federal corruption charges that are reportedly forthcoming against Sen. Bob Menendez may be politically motivated, linking them to the New Jersey Democrat’s criticism of President Barack Obama on foreign policy.
As reported by The Guardian, the Texan and potential 2016 presidential candidate said it was “awfully coincidental” that the charges were reported on the same week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Congress to deliver a speech criticizing Obama’s attempt to strike a deal with Iran aimed at halting its nuclear program.
Echoing an unsubstantiated theory that quickly sprung up in conservative circles on Friday, Cruz called it a “troubling coincidence” and said it “raises suggestions to other Democrats if you dare part from [the] Obama White House that criminal prosecutions will be used potentially as a weapon against you as well.”
Menendez said Friday he has “always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law,” adding: “I’m not going anywhere.”
