WASHINGTON — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the General Assembly Speaker, and the Democratic State Committee Chairman all urged U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to resign on Friday after he was indicted on federal bribery charges, according to Murphy.
Murphy described the allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants as deeply disturbing, emphasizing their implications for national security and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin echoed these sentiments by stating that Menendez’s charges go against the principles that public servants should uphold. He emphasized that once trust is broken, continuing in a public position becomes untenable.
LeRoy Jones Jr., Democratic State Committee Chairman, also called for Menendez’s resignation to ensure that New Jersey residents receive the representation they deserve. Jones also pointed out the upcoming state legislative elections in November and the need to maintain focus on state-level races.
U.S. Representatives Andy Kim and Mikie Sherrill, both Democrats from New Jersey, joined the chorus demanding Menendez’s resignation.
In response to the criticism, Menendez defended himself and stressed the importance of innocence until proven guilty. He expressed his commitment to fighting for the people of New Jersey, highlighting his decades of success in office. Menendez also raised concerns about rushing to judgment and accused his critics of targeting him as a Latino.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were indicted on three criminal counts, alongside three New Jersey businessmen who faced two charges. Prosecutors allege that the couple accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes over several years, with the senator providing political favors in return. These favors allegedly included sharing sensitive national security information with Egyptian officials.
In response, Menendez rejected the specific charges, asserting that they misrepresented his congressional office’s normal work. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged Menendez’s dedication to public service and his commitment to fighting for New Jersey residents.
Menendez, who has served in the Senate since 2005 and won reelection three times, is scheduled to face voters again in 2024. If Menendez were to step down or retire at the end of his term, the race to fill his Senate seat would likely attract prominent Democrats in New Jersey, including Kim and Sherrill.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin expressed deep concern about the allegations and committed to reviewing the concerns raised by the indictment. He also mentioned an ongoing independent internal inquiry into the allegations set forth in the indictment.
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