Tester, Baldwin, Casey join list of Democratic senators calling for Menendez’s resignation

Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Bob Casey (Pa.) on Tuesday became the fourth, fifth and sixth Democratic senators to call on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign in his charge position following his federal corruption indictment last week.

“The indictment details deeply troubling allegations against Senator Menendez that violate the trust of the American people and compromise his ability to effectively represent his constituents,” Baldwin said in a statement.

“While Senator Menendez enjoys the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and will have his day in court to defend himself, I believe he is better than his constituents, the American people and our security national resign the senator”.

Tester also released a brief statement Tuesday morning, shortly after Baldwin.

“I have read the detailed charges against Senator Menendez and find them deeply disturbing. While he deserves a fair trial like any other American, I believe that Senator Menendez should resign for the sake of the public’s faith in the State Senate United,” he wrote.

And Casey released a statement shortly after.

“Public service is a sacred trust,” he wrote. “The specific allegations set forth in the federal indictment indicate to me that Senator Menendez repeatedly violated that trust. While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, holding public office is a privilege that requires a highest standard of conduct. Senator Menendez should resign.”

Baldwin, Tester and Casey join Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), John Fetterman (Pa.) and Peter Welch (Vt.) on the senatorial slate that they called on Menéndez to resign from Congress.

“The shocking and specific allegations against Senator Menendez have completely compromised his ability to be this effective senator,” Welch said. he wrote on Monday evening in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I encourage Senator Menendez to resign.”

So have several members of the New Jersey House and other top Democratic officials asked Menéndez to resign.

Menendez, along with his wife, Nadine, was indicted Friday on federal bribery charges.

Prosecutors allege the pair received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to help three New Jersey businessmen and their interests in Egypt. Federal authorities also found nearly $500,000 in cash and $100,000 in gold at the couple’s residence during a raid last year.

Menendez has denied the allegations against him. he he said at a press conference Monday that he plans to fight the charges against him.

“The allegations leveled against me are just that: allegations,” Menendez said in Union City, N.J. “I recognized that this was going to be the biggest fight yet. But as I’ve stated throughout this process, I strongly believe that when they come forward all the facts, not only will I be exonerated, but I will still be the senior senator from New Jersey.”

Updated at 10:15 a.m. ET