Sen. Menendez Indicted for Bribery. Should He Resign? Jean-Pierre: 'Active Matter. I'm Not Going to Comment' (September 22, 2023)

Federal prosecutors had just charged the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with taking bribes, and the White House would not say whether he should go. “First, on Senator Menendez, did the White House know that an indictment was coming today? And does the President believe the senator should resign?” a reporter Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Will asked on Sept. 22, 2023 [1].

“So, a couple of things. I’m going to be really careful here — this is a — and not comment, because this is an active matter. We learned about this just like all of you. But again, this is active matter, so I’m not going to comment,” Jean-Pierre said, according to the official White House transcript [1].

“Should he resign?” one reporter asked. “No comment on a resignation?” asked another. “I — I’m just — active matter. I’m not going to comment,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the Sept. 22, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, The Associated Press and Scripps News [1][2][3].

”Taking Bribes From a Foreign Country”

A reporter she called Nancy tried again later. “I know you don’t want to interfere with an ongoing investigation. But given the unique nature of the charges against Senator Menendez, taking bribes from a foreign country — he’s the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee — what message does it send to other countries if he’s allowed to stay in that role?” [1]

“So, I believe, from some of your reporting, I think there’s discussions happening about his next steps — the senator’s next steps. So, I leave it to the leadership of the Senate and certainly lead it — leave that to the senator’s office,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

“Given that this is now the second time that he’s faced really serious federal charges, would the President advise him to step down? Does he want to see him continue in the Senate?” the reporter asked [1].

“We’re going to be very, very clear about this: We’re not going to get involved. It is a ongoing matter. And so, we’re going to leave it to — to the prosecutors to move forward with however they see fit, but we’re not going to comment,” she said [1].

”Gold Bars and $480,000 in Cash”

The evidence was hard to miss. “During a 2022 raid on the couple’s Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home, FBI agents found nearly $150,000 worth of gold bars and $480,000 in cash stuffed in boots, shoeboxes and jackets. In the garage was a Mercedes-Benz convertible, also an alleged bribe,” The Associated Press reported [2].

He was also charged with working for a foreign government. “He was also accused of acting as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt,” Scripps News reported [3].

”A Letter for Egyptian Officials”

The bribes bought favors at home and abroad. “Prosecutors said that in return for some of the bribes, he ghostwrote a letter for Egyptian officials to give to his fellow senators to calm their concerns about human rights abuses and encourage them to lift a hold on $300 million in military aid,” the AP reported [2].

One businessman “wanted the senator to protect him from a criminal case he was facing in New Jersey,” and “Prosecutors said Bob Menendez also helped Daibes secure a $95 million investment from a Qatari investment fund,” according to the AP [2].

At sentencing, Menendez asked for mercy. “You really don’t know the man you are about to sentence,” he said. “I’ve done far more good than bad. I ask you, your honor, to judge me in that context.” [3]

“The Union Built the Middle Class”

The same briefing turned to the auto strike. Asked if Biden would join the United Auto Workers picket line, Jean-Pierre said: “I don’t have any updates to the President’s schedule at — at this time.” She added that Biden “believes the un- — the union built the middle class.” [1]

Then Jean-Pierre turned to a reporter whose father, she said, “had some thoughts about our back-and-forth yesterday, so maybe we sh- — we should try this again.” The reporter asked the “Same question as yesterday”: “What do you call it when 10,000 people illegally cross the border in a single day?” Jean-Pierre answered with Biden’s day-one immigration bill and “a broken system” [1].

By the Numbers

16: charges Menendez was convicted on, per Scripps News [3].
$480,000: cash found in the 2022 raid, per the AP [2].
Nearly $150,000: in gold bars [2].
11 years: his prison sentence [3].
15 years: the sentence prosecutors had sought [3].

What Happened Next

Convicted on every count. “Menendez was found guilty on all counts in July of 2024. He was convicted on 16 charges, including bribery, fraud, extortion and obstruction of justice. In August of the same year, he resigned from Congress,” Scripps News reported [3].

“A judge sentenced ex-New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez Wednesday to 11 years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that saw him accepting gold bars and cash in exchange for his influence,” Scripps reported in January 2025 [3].

His wife, too. In April 2025, “Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, was convicted Monday of teaming up with her husband to accept bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car,” the AP reported [2].

For Jean-Pierre on Texas’s razor wire the day before, see HYGO News’ page on Sept. 21, 2023.