Bob Menendez blasted as 'biggest crook in the swamp' after he declines to testify in federal bribery trial

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The defense attorneys in the federal bribery trial of New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez rested their case on Wednesday, July 3, without him taking the stand, according to NBC News.

When leaving the New York courthouse, Sen Menendez (D-NJ) briefly spoke to reporters and explained his decision to not testify.

The embattled Garden State lawmaker stated, "From my perspective, the government has failed to prove every aspect of this case,” adding that he did not think testifying made sense and that he expected the jury to find him not guilty.

Closing arguments for the federal bribery trial are set to be held next week.

What were the charges against Sen Bob Menendez in federal bribery trial?

The prosecutors have alleged that during a search of Sen Menendez’s home in 2022, bribes in the form of gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash were uncovered, with “much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets, and a safe", as per the indictment.

They claimed that the bribes were paid from 2018 to 2022 by three businessmen in exchange for official acts from Menendez as a US senator.

Sen Bob Menendez is standing trial with two out of the three businessmen, namely, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, after the third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty and agreed to testify at the trial as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Sen Menendez’s spouse, Nadine Menendez, is also facing charges in the case. Her trial was postponed since she is recovering from her breast cancer surgery.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges, including bribery, acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, and obstruction of justice.

His wife and the two other businessmen have also pleaded not guilty.

Sen Menendez stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following his indictment in September. However, he has resisted calls from fellow Democrats for his resignation.

Sen Menendez has served in the United States Senate since 2006. Last month, he filed to run for reelection as an independent and is expected to challenge Rep Andy Kim, who won the Democratic Senate primary, and Republican nominee Curtis Bashaw come November.

Internet reacts as Sen Bob Menendez declines to testify in federal bribery trial

The internet was flooded with reacts as Sen Menendez declined to testify in his federal bribery trial as the defense rested their case.

One X user remarked, "Refusing to testify on the grounds that he may incriminate himself? I'll be watching for the results."

Another user said, "Ohh look a democrat liar and criminal saying he didn't do it.... they need to boot him out like they did the other guy!"

Another user wrote, "Nice try bob. Youre going to jail. -Democrats."

One X user claimed, "Guilty people rarely do."

Another user quipped, "Biggest crook in the swamp."

Finally, this user tweeted, "No prominent elected Democratic official is defending the crimes of Sen. Menendez. Wish I could say the same about Republicans who defend every despicable crime Trump has openly committed."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.