Ted Cruz rescinds endorsement of Roy Moore and issues strong statement explaining why

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced late Monday that he was pulling his endorsement of Roy Moore (R), a U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, over allegations of sexual misconduct and explained why in exhaustive detail.

What did Cruz say?

Cruz said Monday that Moore should either drop out of the race or provide strong, persuasive evidence to prove his accusers wrong. According to the Texas Tribune, Cruz explained:

One of two things should happen: If these allegations are true, Judge Moore should drop out now. Today.

The people of Alabama deserve to have the option of voting for a strong conservative who has not committed criminal conduct. Or two, if these allegations are not true, then Judge Moore needs to come forward with a strong, persuasive rebuttal demonstrating that they are untrue.

When a reporter asked the Texas senator to confirm that he was revoking his endorsement, Cruz said: "I am not able to urge the people of Alabama to support his candidacy so long as these allegations remain un-refuted."

"Both last week and this week, there are serious charges of criminal conduct that, if true, not only make him unfit to serve in the Senate but merit criminal prosecution," he added.

"Judge Moore, like any American, is entitled to present a defense. He's entitled to put forth the facts demonstrating that the charges are not true, but as it stands, I can't urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious, persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true,” Cruz explained.

Is Cruz the only one?

No. Many Republicans, and GOP senators in particular, have rescinded endorsements or support of Moore. Republicans not in the Senate who have done so include House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) also vowed to seek to expel Moore from the Senate should he not resign from his campaign and win the election on Dec. 12, a special election to find a permanent replacement for the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. No one has been expelled from the Senate in more than 150 years.

Numerous other GOP senators have withdrawn endorsements or have told Moore to step aside completely. Only a few have remained mum about Moore. Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday that Moore should step aside.

McConnell and Cruz announced their withdrawals the same day a fifth woman accused Moore of sexual abuse. Moore has denied all allegations, and instead called them "attacks" that are politically motivated to bring down his campaign.

Moore did gain some support when Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told AL.com via text on Monday that he will vote for Moore because the importance of addressing American challenges outweigh the ramifications of Moore’s alleged sexual misconduct.

Interested in learning what your senator has to say about Moore? ABC News has compiled a list of all 52 GOP senators' responses to the Moore scandal.