After the indictment of Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the calls for his resignation started to erupt.
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is now on that list.
The case against Menendez appears to be strong.
Authorities found significant cash and gold bars in his home when it was raided.
Menendez tried to explain this away as part of his Cuban heritage, being defiant as ever, which is understandable considering the charges he beat before.
The government seems to have an open-and-shut case against Menendez this time around, which has led to many calls for his resignation.
With more than a dozen local and federal Democrats, including the New Jersey governor, calling for his resignation, Menendez has been adamant that he will allow this to play out in court.
He stated:
"The court of public opinion is no substitute for our revered justice system. We cannot set aside the presumption of innocence for political expediency when the harm is irrevocable."
He has, however, forfeited his committee chair position while this is all playing out.
On September 26, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined the growing list of high-profile Democrat senators asking Menendez to stop down.
He stated:
"Public service is a sacred trust The specific allegations set forth in the federal indictment indicate to me that Senator Menendez violated that trust repeatedly.
"While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, serving in public office is a privilege that demands a higher standard of conduct. Senator Menendez should resign."
Menendez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but the question is then, does he still deserve to be a sitting Senator?
I would love to say I want him to step down, but the fact of the matter is that if he winds up being acquitted, his career would have been ruined for nothing.
Now, don't get me wrong, I believe the man is as corrupt as the day is long, especially in this case, but I will not rob anyone of their right to due process just to score political points.
Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) can remove him from voting and committees to make his impact minimal in the Senate, but we have to allow this process to play out legally before calling for his head on a platter.
