Menendez defiant, says foreign agent charge ‘an attempt to wear someone down’

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) accused prosecutors Thursday of attempting to wear him down and maintained his innocence after he was charged with acting as a foreign agent for Egypt. 

Menendez remained defiant after the latest charge was issued against him, his wife, Nadine, and a New Jersey businessman, saying that he has only been loyal to the U.S. throughout his life and career and indicated that he has no plans to step down from his seat.

“The government’s latest charge flies in the face of my long record of standing up for human rights and democracy in Egypt and in challenging leaders of that country, including President [Abdel Fattah] El-Sisi on these issues,” Menendez said in a statement to The Hill. “I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country — the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom.” 

“Piling new charge upon new charge does not make the allegations true. The facts haven’t changed, only a new charge,” Menendez continued. “It is an attempt to wear someone down and I will not succumb to this tactic.” 

The New Jersey senator added that he is asking supporters and voters to give him “the chance to present [his] defense and show [his] innocence.” 

According to the superseding indictment, Menendez is accused of conspiring to act as an agent of Egypt from January 2018 and June 2022. All members of Congress are lawfully barred from acting as a foreign agent, even if registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. 

“Among other actions, Menendez provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt,” according to the indictment. 

The news comes weeks after Menendez was initially accused by prosecutors of accepting bribes to help three New Jersey businessmen and benefit the Egyptian government. Part of the bribes came in the form of gold bars, cash, a luxury vehicle and mortgage payments, among other things, according to the indictment.

More than half of the Senate Democratic Caucus has called on Menendez to resign. That group is headlined by Sen. Cory Booker (D), Menendez’s fellow New Jersey member, and all of Senate Democratic leadership except for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). 

Menendez, however, has defied their wishes and has shown no signs of stepping aside. He has not announced whether he will seek reelection next year. 

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called Thursday on the Senate to bring an expulsion vote to the floor. Kim launched a primary challenge after Menendez was initially charged by prosecutors last month.