After Senator Bob Menendez’s indictment for conspiracy to conduct bribery, honest services fraud, and extortion under color of official authority, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman called for his resignation. Menendez was charged with bribery conspiracy. Fetterman was the first Democratic senator to contact when Menendez was implicated.
Fetterman recognizes Menendez’s legal right to the presumption of innocence, but he believes he should no longer influence national policy given the severity of the charges. He wanted Menendez to quit and concentrate on trial.
The severity of Menendez’s charge has spurred numerous high-profile Democrats in New Jersey, including governor Phil Murphy, to call for his resignation. Menendez maintains that he will fight for New Jerseyans and not resign as a senator. Menendez reacts to his resignation.
Congress Democrats reacted differently to Menendez’s indictment. Some Democrats want his resignation, but others want due process and a fair trial. Following a 2015 jury failure to convict Menendez, a senator since 2006, of federal corruption, the charges were withdrawn three years later. Senator Menendez was elected in 2006.