Thune says it is ‘appropriate’ to expel Menendez from Senate if he does not resign

Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, called for Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign following his conviction on charges of accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent, adding that it would be “appropriate” for him to be expelled if he does not step down.

“I do,” Thune told Politico during an event surrounding the Republican National Convention. “I think it’s time and I think that’s what a lot of his colleagues, including a number of the members of Democratic leadership of the Senate — that’s the conclusion they have come to as well.” 

“That’s a decision they’re going to have to make,” Thune continued when asked about expulsion. “I certainly think that would be appropriate just on the circumstances of the case.”

Menendez, the ex-chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been unwilling to step down from the upper chamber ever since he was charged in the fall by federal prosecutors despite an overwhelming amount of the Senate Democratic conference calling for him to step aside. 

“I think the dye is cast on that one,” Thune added, “and it’s time to move on.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged the New Jersey Democrat to resign. In total, nearly 40 Senate Democrats have issued public calls for him to do so.

Menendez’s term is up in November and he is currently running an independent campaign in search of a fourth term. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) is the favorite to replace him. 

The senator was found guilty on Tuesday of bribery, acting as a foreign agent and all 16 counts he faced. The jury had been deliberating since Friday afternoon.