‘I really can’t imagine’: John Fetterman slams Bob Menendez’s strategy of ‘blaming’ cancer-stricken wife Nadine amid bribery trial

WASHINGTON, DC: Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman sharply criticized New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez for what he termed a “blaming your wife” legal strategy in Menendez’s ongoing bribery trial.

Fetterman, who was the first senator to call for Menendez’s resignation following his indictment last year, expressed disbelief at the defense approach which seeks to shift blame onto Nadine Menendez, the senator’s wife, who is currently battling breast cancer.

What is NJ Senator Bob Menendez's bribery case about?

Menendez, his wife, and three New Jersey businessmen are facing serious charges linked to an alleged bribery scheme involving lavish gifts exchanged for political favors. Due to her medical condition, Nadine will face a separate trial from her husband.

“I really can’t imagine who—either it was his idea or he was convinced that blaming your wife, who is suffering from cancer, is really an effective strategy or how that’s going to go over,” Fetterman told co-host, Jake Tapper, in an appearance on CNN’s 'State of the Union' on Sunday, May 19. His remarks come after the opening statements in the trial, which began in Manhattan last week.

During the trial’s opening statements, Menendez’s defense attorneys attempted to create a clear distinction between the senator’s actions and those of his wife. At one point, defense attorney Avi Weitzman presented a slide mimicking a 'Where’s Waldo?' puzzle, urging jurors to question “Where’s Bob?” whenever evidence about Nadine was presented.

John Fetterman calls for Bob Menendez's resignation

Weitzman emphasized that the couple led “separate lives,” suggesting that the senator should not be held accountable for his wife’s alleged actions.

Fetterman has been outspoken in his criticism of Menendez, a stance that has drawn attention given the more muted responses from other Democratic senators.

The Pennsylvania Senator reiterated his call for Menendez to step down, emphasizing, “He’s entitled to his day in court, the way he’s having right now, but he’s not entitled to be a United States senator."

“He’s certainly not entitled to receive a kind of classified briefing so about Egypt and Qatar, since he was essentially accused of being an agent for them as well. I don’t understand why anybody would be OK with that,” he claimed.