The Left Polices Its Own: Democrats Pressure Sen Bob Menendez To Resign
Lawmakers want indicted senator to leave
The federal indictment of Democratic Sen Bob Menendez exposes an important truth about the two political parties.
And that's certainly not, “There's no difference between Democrats and Republicans.”
Because Democrats are clearly taking a different tack when it comes to the Menendez charges than most Republicans have related to those among their ranks facing serious allegations of corruption and criminal wrongdoing, whether that's serial fabulist, Rep George Santos, of New York or Donald Trump himself.
Menendez and his wife are accused of accepting “hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes” in exchange for the senator’s influence, according to a unsealed federal indictment.
Federal prosecutors announced the charges against the couple Friday.
And a variety of Democratic politicians already want the Garden State’s senior senator to go.
That includes New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, along with New Jersey Democratic leaders, who called on Menendez to resign, with the governor saying the “alleged facts are so serious that they compromise” the senator's ability to do his job.
And that sentiment isn't limited to those in the senator's home state.
“This is an issue of ensuring that our voters, the American people, those who send us to do the work for the American people on Capitol Hill believe in us,” said Rep Abigail Spanberger (D-Va). “It’s also incredibly important that on the global stage that international leaders do not think or do not even have a hint of an expectation that they can buy any sort of influence with American members of Congress. So, certainly, he is innocent until proven guilty, but this indictment is damning and he should resign.”
Rep Dean Phillips (D-Minn) was even more pointed, drawing an explicit contrast with the Republicans.
“Well, first of all, everybody is innocent until proven guilty, thank goodness, still in our country. But I’m appalled. And anybody who pays attention, I don’t care your politics, Democrat or Republican, you should be appalled,” he said. “A member of Congress who appears to have broken the law, is someone who I believe should resign. I think George Santos should have resigned already.
“Sadly, our House ethics process — and I would argue the Senate as well — is not as proficient as it needs to be, so we have to rely on the judicial system,” he added. “But I’m really disappointed. And I have to say, in comparison to the president of the United States, of which there is no evidence whatsoever he’s broken the law, and yet is being subject to an impeachment inquiry, there is evidence here.
“And yes, I’m a Democrat, so is Senator Menendez, but based on what I have seen, I’m disappointed. And yes, I think he should resign,” Dean said.
Meanwhile, not only is Santos still a member of Congress — months after his own indictment — former president Donald Trump has been charged with more than 90 counts and yet is on-track to win the Republican nomination for president.
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