Calls for Senator Bob Menendez to resign are growing stronger within the Democratic Party, as elected leaders believe the federal bribery charges and allegations of public corruption are sufficient grounds for him to step down.
According to New York prosecutors, Menendez and his wife accepted nearly half a million dollars in cash, gold bars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a luxury car from three businessmen in New Jersey, in exchange for providing them with information that would benefit them personally and the Egyptian government.
Reps. Eric Swalwell of California, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Don Beyer of Virginia, and former Senator Doug Jones of Alabama are among the current and former elected Democrats demanding Menendez’s resignation.
During an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Ocasio-Cortez stated, “The situation is quite unfortunate, but I do believe that it is in the best interest for Sen. Menendez to resign in this moment.” She also emphasized that the seriousness of the indictment should not be overlooked based on political affiliation.
Swalwell argued that the indictment refutes Republican claims that the Biden administration has politicized the Justice Department. He stated on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” “He should resign, and I think it’s important that we point out that, speaking of [Attorney General] Merrick Garland, that any idea that the Department of Justice is being weaponized to protect President Biden is just nonsense. This just shows that the rule of law applies to everyone.”
Multiple members of the New Jersey congressional delegation, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, and former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. have previously expressed their belief that Menendez should resign.
The indictment and Menendez’s refusal to step down have led to a primary challenge from Representative Andy Kim. However, former Governor Chris Christie, who is a Republican presidential candidate, has stated that he has no interest in running for the seat.
Menendez canceled a scheduled appearance at a Hispanic Heritage Month event in his home state amid these developments.
Despite the mounting pressure, Menendez remains steadfast in his refusal to step aside. He released a statement saying, “Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.”
Under Senate rules, Menendez is required to step down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but will remain on the panel.
This is not the first time Menendez has faced bribery charges. Several years ago, he was also indicted, but the trial ended with a hung jury. Prosecutors allege that the latest bribery scheme began during or shortly after that trial.
(Source: Globeblognews)
