U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez clapped back at rumored plans that he will be resigning after being convicted on federal bribery charges.
The New Jersey Democrat refuted claims about his plans though he has been at the receiving end of pressure for months to step down by members of his own party including Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker, the other U.S. senator representing New Jersey.
“I can tell you that I have not resigned nor have I spoken to any so-called allies … Seems to me that there is an effort to try to force me into a statement,” Menendez told CBS New York’s Christine Sloan on Wednesday. “Anyone who knows me knows that’s the worst way to achieve a goal with me.”
(Video Credit: CBS News New York)
The embattled 70-year-old lawmaker was found guilty by a federal jury on all 16 felony counts in the 18-count indictment that included bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent.
Menendez has denied the allegations but could face decades in prison when sentencing occurs in October. The senator has vowed to appeal the ruling and an NBC News report Tuesday claimed he had told “allies” he would be resigning his Senate seat.
“Menendez, who had been defiant for months in the face of calls from dozens of Senate Democrats to resign, appears to have finally relented after the guilty verdict and growing threats to expel him if he refused,” NBC News reported, citing two unnamed sources “directly familiar with the conversations.”
“He is calling allies to notify them of his intention to resign, these sources said, which would end a three-decade career in Congress that included a powerful committee chairmanship, writing major legislation, and two criminal trials over allegations of corruption,” the outlet added.
“Senator Menendez has undermined the public’s faith and is no longer able to serve effectively in the U.S. Senate,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said in a statement.
“I hope it doesn’t come to this, but if he refuses to do the right thing and resign immediately, I support the Senate taking action to remove him from his position,” added the chair of the Democratic Senate campaign arm.
“In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Joe Kent’s claim that Charlie Kirk’s last words to him were about Iran is met with anger - March 19, 2026
- Top ‘CBS Evening News’ producer may be on chopping block as ratings plummet to new low - March 19, 2026
- State Department to require bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications from a dozen more countries - March 19, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.