Schumer doesn't call for Menendez's resignation

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has stopped shy of demanding that Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., resign following his indictment on federal bribery charges.

Much of the Senate Democratic Conference has demanded the lawmaker's departure, though the New York Democrat has thus far refrained from joining that chorus. Menendez has pleaded not guilty to the charges and rejected calls to resign.

Schumer on Wednesday expressed his "disappoint[ment]" upon reading the indictment and indicated that the New Jersey senator will address the conference on Thursday, The Hill reported. 

"I've known Sen. Menendez a very long time and was truly, truly upset. But we all know that... for senators, there’s a much, much higher standard, and clearly when you read the indictment, Sen. Menendez fell way, way below that standard," Schumer said.

Prosecutors announced on Friday that they had discovered gold bars and large amounts of cash at Menendez's home. He stands accused of taking bribes to influence U.S. policy on behalf of Egypt's authoritarian government.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.