Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign following his criminal conviction.
According to the Washington Examiner, Menendez was found guilty on all 16 counts, including acting as a foreign agent in a bribery and conspiracy scheme.
On Tuesday, Schumer urged Menendez to step down "in light of this guilty verdict." The New York jury found Menendez guilty of acting as a foreign agent, among other charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29 and faces a potential maximum of 222 years in prison.
The conviction includes serious offenses such as extortion and wire fraud, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. However, it is likely that any sentences would run concurrently. Despite the conviction, Menendez maintains his innocence and has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Menendez asserted his patriotism and denied ever being a foreign agent. He expressed concerns that the jury's decision could endanger other senators by broadening the definition of a foreign agent.
Menendez's conviction stems from a yearslong investigation into his activities. He was found guilty of accepting bribes, including money, luxury items, and gold bars, in exchange for aiding the Egyptian government and others. His co-defendants, Wael Hana, and Fred Daibes, were also found guilty of related charges.
Schumer's call for resignation was echoed by other prominent figures. Rep. Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee for Menendez’s Senate seat, reiterated his demand that Menendez step down. Kim emphasized the day's somber nature for New Jersey and the country, insisting that public servants must work for the people.
Gov. Phil Murphy also called for Menendez to resign, citing concerns about national security and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Murphy suggested that if Menendez refuses to resign, the Senate should expel him. Sen. Cory Booker joined the chorus, emphasizing the urgency for Menendez to leave office and for the governor to appoint a replacement.
Menendez remains a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with access to classified briefings and sensitive information. He could be expelled from the Senate with a two-thirds majority vote. Despite this, Menendez has filed to run for reelection as an independent, collecting enough signatures to continue his bid.
Menendez's legal troubles are not new. In 2017, he faced a separate public corruption trial, which ended in a mistrial. Prosecutors celebrated the recent guilty verdict, marking the end of Menendez's years of alleged corruption.
Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, criticized Menendez's actions, stating that this was not "politics as usual" but "politics for profit." Williams emphasized that Menendez had been selling his office to the highest bidder for years.
Menendez's conviction could have significant implications for his political future. With his term ending in January 2025, the conviction casts doubt on his reelection bid. Colleagues and political opponents have intensified their calls for his resignation, underscoring the gravity of the charges and their impact on public trust.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign following his conviction on multiple charges, including acting as a foreign agent. Menendez maintains his innocence and plans to appeal despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 222 years. Prominent figures, including Rep. Andy Kim, Gov. Phil Murphy, and Sen. Cory Booker, have also urged Menendez to step down. Menendez's conviction is the result of a yearslong investigation into bribery and conspiracy, marking a significant end to his alleged misconduct.
