Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.), previously on trial for corruption charges, had a warning Thursday for those in New Jersey "who were digging his political grave."
Menendez had been charged with 18 counts of corruption, including bribery. Thursday, the judge ruled the case a mistrial owing to a hung jury. Menendez treated the result as a vindication following "unjust prosecution," and as he closed his press remarks, he said he would remember those who opposed him for political reasons.
"To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are, and I won't forget you," he said, to some laughter from listeners.
Menendez credited those who stuck by him while also saying he was willing to forgive people who did not defend him publicly.
"To those who left me, who abandoned me in my darkest moment, I forgive you," he said. "To those who embraced me in my darkest moment, I love you. To those New Jerseyans who gave me the benefit of the doubt, I thank you."
He also praised reporters who handled the trial with "professionalism" and, in some cases, even showed kindness.
"To those in the press who did their job and did it with professionalism, and even to some of you who are actually kind ... I believe you showed others what a professional press is all about and why that freedom is so important to our society," he said.