Senator Bob Menendez, whose current term has been overshadowed by an ethics scandal, will not pursue reelection as a Democrat, suggesting a possible independent run.

In a video statement released Thursday, the embattled lawmaker from New Jersey said he won’t be filing in his state’s Democratic primary and may choose an independent route.

Menendez, who faces federal bribery charges, has received mounting pressure from Republicans and Democrats to resign. Democratic Senator John Fetterman was among his colleagues loudly urging his removal from office.

The senator was also accused of functioning as an agent for Egyptian government. Still insisting in the video that he is innocent of the allegations, Menendez stated that it is no longer politically prudent for him to launch a reelection campaign under the Democratic umbrella.

“Unfortunately, the present accusations I am facing — of which I am innocent and will prove so — will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it a cornerstone of their campaign,” he said.

Earlier this month, Menendez was indicted for a fourth time on more than a dozen new charges related to his involvement in a years-long bribery scheme with the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

Menendez previously faced four counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. The new charges included these counts.

“I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and will allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election,” Menendez said Thursday.