Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey is set to resign from Congress after being found guilty of accepting bribes, including $150,000 in gold bars and an $80,000 Mercedes-Benz from Egyptian officials. The guilty verdict on 16 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and more has led to calls for his resignation from fellow politicians.
Sen. Cory Booker has called on Menendez to step down, threatening to lead the effort to expel him if he does not resign voluntarily. Other prominent figures such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy have also urged Menendez to resign.
Menendez had previously vowed to remain in his senate seat after being charged, but with the recent guilty verdict, pressure is mounting for him to step down. Rep. Andy Kim, who is likely to succeed Menendez, has repeatedly called for his resignation, stating that the people of New Jersey deserve better.
Menendez and his co-defendants are set to be sentenced on October 29.