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

Bob Menendez said he didn't testify because he believed prosecutors failed to prove 'every aspect' of the case against him
UPDATED JUL 5, 2024
New Jersey Sen Bob Menendez chose not to testify at his NY federal bribery trial (Getty Images)
New Jersey Sen Bob Menendez chose not to testify at his NY federal bribery trial (Getty Images)

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.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Senator Bob Menendez (@senatormenendez)


 

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.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Senator Bob Menendez (@senatormenendez)


 

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.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Senator Bob Menendez (@senatormenendez)


 

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.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Senator Bob Menendez (@senatormenendez)


 

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.

MORE STORIES

Donald Trump said a very wealthy donor offered to personally cover troop pay if government shutdown funds fall short
48 minutes ago
The six people are from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa
2 hours ago
President Donald Trump blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown and confirmed ending several Democrat-backed federal programs
1 day ago
Donald Trump criticized Chuck Schumer over the shutdown and said he directed Pete Hegseth to use funds to ensure troops are paid on October 15
3 days ago
Several progressives who have long called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have not yet commented on the agreement’s terms or timeline
5 days ago
Trump posted a scathing montage, accusing Democrats of shutting down the government to please their 'radical left' base
5 days ago
John Kennedy is calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over the tough spot he’s in amid government shutdown
5 days ago
Top officials in the Trump administration discussed invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy military forces on US soil
6 days ago
Gavin Newsom rejected the bipartisan bill, calling it too costly and warning it could disrupt how California determines firefighter pay
7 days ago
The vote comes as California’s education agencies face a US Department of Justice lawsuit over alleged Title IX violations in girls’ sports
7 days ago