Pressure Mounts For Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez To Resign From Office Over Corruption Charges

Pressure is beginning to build for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to resign from office after federal prosecutors indicted him on multiple charges related to alleged corruption.

The indictment says that Menendez and his wife had a corrupt relationship with New Jersey businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes, who allegedly gave the senator bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to the DOJ, the bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) called on Menendez to resign during a CNN interview, saying that Democrat leaders needed to “push him out.”

“First of all, everybody’s innocent until proven guilty, thank goodness, still in our country. But I’m appalled. Anybody who pays attention, I don’t care your politics, Democrat or Republican, you should be appalled,” Phillips told Raju. “A member of Congress who appears to have broken the law is someone who I believe should resign.”‘

“Yes, I am a Democrat and so is Sen. Menendez, but based on what I have seen, I am disappointed and yes, I think he should resign,” he added. “Look I am trying to restore faith in government, that’s one of my missions. It’s a lot of my colleagues’ missions, and sometimes we have to walk that talk, even if it’s uncomfortable and I would argue that this time, yes, the answer is absolutely.”

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell also called on Menendez to resign following the news of his indictment.

“Every Democratic Senator who demanded Al Franken’s resignation must demand Senator Menendez [sic] resignation today so NJ Democratic governor can appoint his replacement,” O’Donnell wrote. “Who will be first? Senator Gillibrand started the stampede against Senator Franken. What’s she waiting for?”

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW), a left-of-center advocacy group, also called on Menendez to resign from office.

“With these latest revelations, it’s time for Senator Menendez to resign,” CREW said. “The stain of corruption continuously taints Menendez. CREW has for years raised concerns about Menendez potentially selling his position, and the Senate Ethics Committee previously found serious misconduct by him.”

“The conduct outlined in today’s indictment and the evidence presented are even more damning,” the statement continued. “The people of New Jersey should not have to be constantly questioning whether one of their senators is taking action for them or to line his pockets. Menendez deserves a fair trial and a presumption of innocence on these latest charges, but it is not appropriate for him to remain in office. Out of respect for the institution of the Senate, he must step down