29 Democratic senators urge Menendez to step down
President pro tempore of the Senate Patty Murray (pictured) urged Senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday to resign amid bribery charges, becoming the 29th Democratic senator to call for such a move.
Murray called allegations against Menendez "extremely serious" and insisted that, if he refuses to step down, the Senate Ethics Committee should launch an investigation into his actions, separate from the criminal case against him. "While Senator Menendez is entitled to his day in court, I believe he should step down and focus on his legal defense," she stated.
Earlier, numerous other Democrats, including Menendez's fellow Senator from New Jersey Cory Booker, urged him to step down, which he has so far refused to do, insisting "those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty."