Democratic Senators Call for Resignation of Colleague After Indictment on Corruption Charges

On Monday, Democratic Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called for the resignation of their colleague, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), after federal prosecutors in New York indicted him on corruption charges. The 39-page indictment accused Menendez and his wife of accepting bribes from three businessmen to push forward the agenda of the Egyptian government.

The indictment has sparked a debate among Senate Democrats, with some calling for Menendez to resign and others expressing their support. Senator Brown issued a one-sentence statement saying “Senator Menendez has broken the public trust and should resign from the U.S. Senate.” Senator Welch echoed Brown’s sentiment, saying “Senator Menendez has betrayed the public trust and should resign.”

The indictment has also raised questions about the different reactions of Senate Democrats to Senator Menendez and former Senator Al Franken. Franken resigned in 2017 after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Some have argued that the different reactions to the two cases demonstrate a double standard among Senate Democrats.

The indictment has sparked a larger discussion about the role of ethics in politics. Some have argued that the situation has created a situation where getting indicted can help a Senator keep their seat in the short-term. Others have argued that the situation highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in politics.

The outcome of the indictment remains to be seen. Senator Menendez has denied the charges and vowed to fight them in court. In the meantime, the debate over the role of ethics in politics continues.