Senator Bob Menendez, once a prominent figure in New Jersey politics, was hit with damning criminal charges. The Democrat faced federal charges that included bribery, fraud, and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors accused him and his wife of accepting lavish gifts and financial benefits from foreign entities in exchange for political favors.
These gifts were allegedly given in exchange for Menendez using his political influence to benefit Egyptian officials. The trial exposed a web of corruption; he even tried to worm out of it by blaming his wife!
Surprisingly, Democrats in the Senate have refused to enact strict penalties for Menendez’s behavior. Especially since this is not the first time he has been indicted. But this week, the embattled Democrat finally faced the music. And the penalty that could be imposed on him is much worse than anyone thought.
From Fox News:
The jury in the federal corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and two of his business associates, Fred Daibes and Wael Hana, found Menendez guilty on all charges after a grueling nine-week complex trial in Manhattan.Menendez pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he accepted an array of bribes in exchange for helping foreign governments. Jurors deliberated for three days. The conviction on all 16 counts against him exposes Menendez to a sentence of more than 200 years in prison, though such a heavy sentence is unlikely.
Whoa. A New York jury found Bob Menendez guilty on all counts. He has been convicted of sixteen counts involving a shocking bribery scheme with foreign entities. According to reports, the sheer number of counts could result in two hundred years in prison. While that is unlikely, it reveals just how serious Menendez’s actions were.
This guilty verdict appears to be finally waking Democrats up to the reality that Mendez has to go. For a while, they were half-heartedly telling Menendez to drop out. Shockingly, Menendez refused to resign from the Senate—and thought he could get reelected! But with this damning verdict, top Democrats are coming out against the convicted felon.
From Breitbart:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on fellow Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez (NJ) to resign following his conviction on all sixteen felony corruption charges he faced…“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Schumer posted on X within the hour of Menendez’s verdict.
Schumer knows that if Menendez doesn’t drop out, it gives Republicans a chance to take the seat. Menendez will probably run as an independent, meaning two liberals will be fighting over the seat, giving a Republican more votes in the end. While Schumer at first didn’t threaten to oust Menendez, another notable Democrat dropped the bar on him.
From Breitbart:
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) said Tuesday during MSNBC’s coverage of the Republican National Convention that his colleague Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) must resign or face expulsion after being found guilty on 16 felony counts, including bribery and extortion.
Sen. Booker is now threatening Menendez with expulsion if he doesn’t resign. It’s pretty shocking to think that a convicted felon is still in office after such a damning trial and verdict. If he is sent to jail, does he think he will still be able to serve? For the good of the country, he should step down and drop out of the race. But, chances are, Democrats will have to do that for him.
Key Takeaways:
- Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez was found guilty on all 16 federal bribery charges.
- All the charges could result in a maximum sentence of 200 years in prison.
- Menendez has refused to resign from the Senate, but Democrats are amping up rhetoric against him.
Source: Fox News, Breitbart, Breitbart
