Anti-Türkiye Sen. Menendez resigns after bribery conviction
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) looks on, following his bribery trial in connection with an alleged corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in New York City, U.S., July 16, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will resign from the Senate next month after being found guilty in a federal corruption trial for accepting bribes. Menendez, who has close ties to the Greek and Armenian lobbies in the U.S., is known for his longstanding anti-Türkiye stance.
Why it matters
Menendez’s resignation will prevent Senate Democrats from having to expel one of their own, maintaining party unity.
Driving the news
The veteran New Jersey lawmaker plans to resign effective Aug. 20. Senate Democrats had threatened to vote him out of Congress if he did not step down.
While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work
Bob Menendez
State of play
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint a replacement for Menendez. Murphy acknowledged receiving the resignation letter but did not specify when a decision for a temporary replacement would be finalized.
The big picture
Menendez faced massive pressure from his party to resign after his conviction on federal bribery charges. He was found guilty of accepting “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in bribes to benefit foreign governments, including acting as an agent for Egypt.
- Even Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) publicly called on Menendez to resign.
- Prior to his resignation, Menendez was serving his third Senate term.
Catch up quick
Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, and extortion under color of official right. This follows his previous indictment on unrelated federal bribery and corruption charges in 2015, which ended in a mistrial in 2017.
Zoom in: Menendez’s efforts block Türkiye at every turn
Menendez’s longstanding anti-Türkiye stance has also been questioned due to his close ties to the Greek and Armenian lobbies in the U.S. These financially powerful groups have considerable political clout and have influenced Menendez’s positions over the years.
- August 2007: Menendez blocked Richard Hoagland’s nomination as ambassador to Armenia over his refusal to label the events of 1915 as “genocide.”
- December 2019: Menendez co-authored a bill in response to Türkiye’s military actions in Syria and its purchase of the Russian S-400 defense system.
- 2019: Opposing the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
- February 2020: Menendez called for a cease-fire in Syria, criticizing Türkiye’s involvement despite Türkiye’s efforts to combat the terrorist organization PKK/YPG.
- March 2020: Menendez criticized Türkiye’s purchase of the S-400 defense systems and called for sanctions.
- July 2020: Menendez criticized Türkiye’s decision to revert Hagia Sophia to a mosque.
- August 2020: Menendez and Sen. Chris Van Hollen criticized Türkiye’s drilling activities in the Mediterranean, based on Greece’s claims.
- November 2021: Menendez condemned Türkiye’s support for Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
- 2022: Refusing to approve the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, reiterating his concerns in 2023.
Between the lines
Menendez’s anti-Türkiye rhetoric extended to various aspects, including military, historical, and regional conflicts. He consistently opposed Türkiye’s actions and supported Armenian and Greek positions.
