Second Democrat calls on Menendez to resign

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign on Friday after he was indicted on bribery charges, making him the second House Democrat to do so.

Kim said that the corruption charges should end Menendez’s 17-year career as a senator from the Garden State. He is the first New Jersey Democrat to call for the senator’s resignation.

“These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesn’t matter what your job title is or your politics — no one in America is above the law,” Kim said in a statement to The Hill. “The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light.”

“In the meantime, I don’t have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter,” he continued. “He should step down.”

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) was the first Democrat to come out against Menendez earlier Friday.

Prosecutors allege that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, accepted “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to help a group of New Jersey businessmen and interests in Egypt.

The FBI found almost half a million dollars in cash in the New Jersey senator’s home last year during a raid, as well as over $100,000 in gold bars allegedly given to Menendez and his wife by the businessmen.

Menendez has denied the charges, calling them a “smear campaign.” He was previously investigated and charged in a separate bribery probe in 2015, but that case was later dropped after a mistrial.

Christine Serrano Glassner, a GOP candidate running for his seat in 2024, has dubbed the senator “Gold Bar Bob” amid the scandal.

The New Jersey Democrat stepped down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday afternoon, following the charges. The decision was announced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

“Bob Menendez has been a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey,” Schumer said in the statement. “He has a right to due process and a fair trial.”

“Senator Menendez has rightly decided to step down temporarily from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee until the matter has been resolved,” he added.

If Menendez chooses to resign from his seat, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) would appoint a new senator to finish the current term, which expires in January 2025.