Schumer Silent on Menendez Ouster Amid Corruption Trial

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) refused to answer on Wednesday whether he would take steps to remove Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) from the Senate should he be found guilty in his public corruption trial. Schumer’s reluctance to comment stands in contrast to other Democratic leaders who have called for Menendez’s resignation amid allegations of accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar while in office.

WEX MIN: Schumer dodges whether Bob Menendez should be expelled from Senate if convicted, Democrats who waved Ukrainian flags on House floor face ethics complaint, Republican demands new special counsel to investigate Biden withholding Israel aidhttps://t.co/ZjJymRRUKC pic.twitter.com/mdVF0MBcej

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 15, 2024

The trial has become a thorn in Schumer’s side as he works to secure party-line support for judicial nominees in the closely divided 51-49 Senate. The trial began in New York City with jury selection and could last for several months. Menendez, now in his third term, has maintained his innocence and has vowed not to seek reelection this fall unless acquitted. If convicted, he could technically remain in office and be reelected under current law, but he would likely face expulsion from the Senate, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.

Menendez’s refusal to resign could lead to a potential vacancy in the Senate, with Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) having the authority to appoint a replacement until the conclusion of Menendez’s term in January 2025. A similar corruption case against Menendez ended in a mistrial in 2017 due to a hung jury, and prosecutors decided not to retry the case.

The current situation has caused tension within the Senate, with Democrats pressuring Menendez to step down and Schumer facing questions about his handling of the matter. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took a jab at Menendez, stating he was glad the senator was not a Republican. As the trial unfolds, the political implications for both parties remain uncertain.