Menendez tells Senate Democrats he won’t resign after bribery indictment

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) told his Senate Democratic colleagues on Thursday that he will not resign despite calls from more than half of the conference to do so following his federal indictment on bribery charges.

The embattled senator did not address his political future in his 15-minute speech to the conference, instead vowing to defend his innocence in court. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) told reporters after the meeting that Menendez wasn’t asked any questions in the room.

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The vast majority of Senate Democrats declined to comment on what took place during the closed-door meeting, citing the sensitivity of the situation. Of those who demurred, most said that the meeting did not change their position on Menendez or the charges.

The members who did speak afterward described the meeting as emotionally difficult. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) said there was a “sad” tone in the room, while Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) called the matter an “emotional” one.

“Look, I’m a pastor, so it’s tough to see this kind of thing unfold,” Warnock said while leaving the meeting. “This is a real human being with a family and loved ones, so my prayers go out to him.”

“It’s emotional. People are trying to collect their thoughts. I’m very bummed about the entire thing,” Kaine said in response to a question about members declining to comment on what transpired. “It’s depressing, frustrating, maddening. All of those things.”

As Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) put it: “I don’t think there’s anything happy about this situation.”

Menendez himself left through a back exit and refused to answer shouted questions about whether he would cooperate with a Senate ethics probe. He instead briefly remarked that he looks forward to casting votes “on behalf of the people of New Jersey as I have for 18 years.

“And I am sure when they need those votes, they’ll be looking for it, for me to catch those votes,” he said in reference to Democrats.

Manchin, who has not called on Menendez to resign, said in response to a question from the Washington Examiner that the senator’s speech was “compassionate.” The New Jersey senator, Manchin said, “made his point and he delivered it very well.

“Every American is innocent until proven guilty,” said the West Virginia senator, who is also up for reelection next year. “Give him the benefit of the doubt. Let him defend himself.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the only remaining member of leadership who has not called on Menendez to resign, suggested to reporters on Wednesday that he would have more to say on the matter after Thursday’s meeting. Directly after the meeting, however, the majority leader raced past the hordes of press waiting outside and ignored questions while he walked to the Senate floor.

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Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) made similar comments on Wednesday, saying that he had not spoken out on the charges up to now because he wanted to hear from Menendez directly first.

“These are extremely damning charges, and I have seen the actions that Sen. Menendez took this morning,” Warner said, referencing the senator’s not guilty plea. “He asked to speak to the Democratic conference tomorrow. I’m going to grant him that courtesy, but I expect I’ll have much more to say afterwards.”