New Jersey Senator Menendez Convicted for Taking Bribes
The Facts
US Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) on Tuesday was convicted by a jury on all 16 felony counts he faced during his nine-week criminal trial, including accepting bribes of gold and cash from three businessmen and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.
Menendez, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 29. He could face up to 200 years in prison, but his lawyers say they plan to appeal.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Although Menendez is a prominent Democrat, this verdict is a win for the party. Democrats were able to remove a senator who was seemingly always under suspicion of wrongdoing — offering a contrast with the Republicans, who are nominating a convicted felon for president. This also disproves the GOP's claims that Pres. Joe Biden has weaponized the Justice Department against political opponents.
Republican narrative
Democrats shouldn't pat themselves on the back over this conviction and their calls for Menendez to resign. They've been behind Menendez for more than a decade despite suspicions — some of which led to charges — over his corruption. Even as this case unfolded, Schumer was more worried about his slim majority in the Senate than doing the right thing.
