Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Senator Bob Menendez to resign after a jury convicted him on bribery, corruption and extortion charges.
“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 said on X.
A jury found Menendez guilty on all counts of participating in a bribery and corruption plot with three New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government after he was charged on March 5.
The indictment was filed in response to an investigation and search of his New Jersey home, at which time investigators discovered over $480,000 in cash stashed about the premises, a fancy car that the businessmen had bought for his wife, and more than $100,000 worth of gold bars.
On Tuesday, Menendez expressed to reporters his “deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision” and his confidence that his legal team would prevail in the appeal.
“I have never been anything but a patriot of my country, and I have never, ever been a foreign agent,” Menendez said to reporters.
The trial of his spouse, Nadine Menendez, who was also prosecuted and indicted with her husband, has been postponed indefinitely.
“I reiterate my call for Senator Menendez to resign immediately after being found guilty of endangering national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy posted on on X. “If he refuses to vacate his office, I call on the U.S. Senate to vote to expel him. In the event of a vacancy, I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.”
