Sen. Menendez Faces Mounting Calls to Resign Following Indictment on Federal Bribery and Corruption Charges

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has been facing mounting calls to resign from office following his indictment on federal bribery and corruption charges last week. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a close colleague of Menendez, has not yet commented on the indictment.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D-PA) released a statement on the matter, saying that while Menendez is entitled to the presumption of innocence, he should not be allowed to continue to wield influence over national policy, given the serious and specific nature of the allegations.

Menendez himself addressed the matter at a press conference in New Jersey, saying that those who have rushed to judgment have done so based on a limited set of facts presented by the prosecution. He did not comment on whether he will resign from office.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez used his position to do favors for New Jersey businessmen who in return showered him with cash and gold. Fetterman concluded his statement by saying that he hopes Menendez will choose an honorable exit and focus on his trial.