Sen. Bob Menendez was found guilty on all 16 federal counts, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent, prompting a wave of calls from Senate Democrats for his resignation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had previously refrained from demanding Menendez's resignation, joined the chorus urging the New Jersey Democrat to step down.
"In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign," Schumer declared in a brief statement. However, some Senate Democrats went further, endorsing expulsion if Menendez refuses to resign. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., asserted on social media, "Now that a jury of his peers has found him guilty on all 16 charges, including acting as a foreign agent, Senator Menendez should resign or face expulsion from the Senate."
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Menendez's conviction for political corruption warranted immediate resignation. "If he refuses to resign, he should be expelled," Rosen stated.
Following his indictment, Menendez stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but continued to participate in Senate votes. This continued involvement has become increasingly untenable following his conviction for engaging in a bribery scheme to benefit Egypt and Qatar. The Senate Ethics Committee, already investigating Menendez, announced it would complete its probe "promptly" and could recommend expulsion. Expelling a senator requires a two-thirds majority vote, a rare occurrence with only 15 senators expelled in U.S. history, mostly during the Civil War.
Several Democratic senators who had previously called for Menendez's resignation were joined by new voices, including Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also renewed his call for Menendez to resign, warning that if Menendez does not step down, he would support Senate expulsion.
Menendez is set to be sentenced on October 29, just before Election Day. He has filed to run for re-election as an independent, though his plans remain unclear following the verdict. Rep. Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee for Menendez's seat, emphasized the need for immediate new representation. "If he refuses to resign, I expect the Senate to move forward with expulsion," Kim said.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., the chair of the GOP campaign arm, offered a terse response to the verdict, stating, "I'm not surprised." Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized the Republican Party for what she described as a double standard regarding felons in positions of power, referencing their support for Donald Trump.
The implications of Menendez's conviction are profound, not just for New Jersey but for the entire Senate. The case has highlighted the severe consequences of political corruption and the need for stringent ethical standards. Menendez, who has served as a senator since 2006, now faces the possibility of expulsion and a significant prison sentence. His conviction underscores the pervasive issue of corruption within politics and the critical importance of accountability.
The fallout from this case is expected to reverberate through the political landscape, with New Jersey Democrats already positioning themselves for a potential Senate vacancy. Prominent Democrats like Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Abigail Spanberger have also called for Menendez's resignation, reflecting the broader sentiment within the party.
