this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2023
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is just the latest voice in a Democratic chorus calling for the New Jersey senator to leave office

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has joined the calls for Bob Menendez to resign, after the Democratic US senator from New Jersey was charged with accepting gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz and other gifts as bribes.

Speaking on Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez said the charges against Menendez were “extremely serious” and he should step down.

A growing number of Democrats are calling for Menendez, who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2006, to resign.

Menendez is accused of using his position to aid Egypt’s authoritarian government and pressuring federal prosecutors to drop a case against a friend.

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[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 64 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Things that republicans would never do

(asking a party member to step down/face consequences due to corruption)

[–] Acronymesis@lemmy.world 32 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Somewhat off topic, but it really gets my goat that this guy is pulling the “witch hunt” bullshit that the other side so often does:

“For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave. Since this investigation was leaked nearly a year ago, there has been an active smear campaign of anonymous sources and innuendos to create an air of impropriety where none exists,” Menendez said in a statement, adding that prosecutors see him as a political “obstacle.”

Motherfucker, you had envelopes full of cash stuffed in your pockets that had the DNA of the man who’s suspected of bribing you on them. For fuck’s sake.

Anyway, great to see some on team Dem call for his resignation. That said, I’m keeping my eyes peeled for any that that decide to circle the wagons.

[–] ripcord@kbin.social 18 points 1 year ago

It sickens me too that he pulled the "this is just how politics works and they are making a big deal out of nothing" card.

What he's doing is probably how a whole lot of Congress works.

It is, also, a really big deal. This shit needs shut down hard.

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 year ago

Schumer is explicitly backing Menendez.

Warnock is waffling and refusing to criticize him.

Other than Fetterman, those are the only Senate Democrats I've heard from.

SkinnerPathetic.jpg

Democrats are SO BAD at politics, my word! Keeping this dude around has only downsides politically, even if you don't care about him messing with international arms transfers to make a buck.

[–] Reverendender@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I call for him to be tried for his alleged crimes

[–] sin_free_for_00_days@sopuli.xyz 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Imagine that happening. Politicians breaking laws and instead of just stepping down with a "whoops, my bad", they actually had to go to trial. Ah, a person can dream.

[–] TheSaneWriter@lemmy.thesanewriter.com 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

He has been federally indicted. That greatly increases his chances of seeing real consequences for this.

[–] Evilcoleslaw@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

He was charged before. Hung jury, mistrial, then acquitted. Weaker case as I understand it. But I agree he needs to resign.

Indeed. Even if he's not guilty, combating these legal troubles will almost certainly interfere with his ability to effectively govern.

[–] Spacebar@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

As a life long progressive and Democrat voter, he needs to resign.

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 2 points 1 year ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has joined the calls for Bob Menendez to resign, after the Democratic US senator from New Jersey was charged with accepting gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz and other gifts as bribes.

Menendez is accused of using his position to aid Egypt’s authoritarian government and pressuring federal prosecutors to drop a case against a friend.

Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks on Menendez come after she has previously called for a federal investigation into Clarence Thomas, the conservative supreme court justice, over his acceptance of undeclared gifts from wealthy rightwing donors.

In August, ProPublica reported that Thomas had taken “at least 38” undeclared vacations funded by billionaires and accepted gifts including expensive sports tickets.

Ocasio-Cortez had also previously called on Republican congressman George Santos to step down after he was indicted earlier this year for fraud, money laundering and other federal charges.

FBI agents investigating Menendez discovered “a lot of gold”, allegedly provided by businessman Fred Daibes, in the senator’s home, as well as about $500,000 in cash.


The original article contains 689 words, the summary contains 164 words. Saved 76%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

[–] Rapidcreek@reddthat.com 2 points 1 year ago

We will never know about the personal phone calls he's taking regarding the same thing. AOC probably doesn't mean much to him.

[–] Shotgun_Alice@lemmy.world -2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You know, after what happened to Al Franken, let the man have his day in court. Justice in the United States is supposed to operate on the idea of innocent until proven guilty. I'm not going to judge a man on reported facts, but will make a judgment on him based on court evidence.

[–] Uncle_Bagel@midwest.social 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Dude has had numerous bribery scandals throughout his career. Innocent until proven guilty applies to a courthouse, not your elected officials.

[–] Shotgun_Alice@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Oh, I believe the guy totally did it, but he still gets his day in court first.

[–] queermunist@lemmy.ml -4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

This really exemplifies the difference between the two parties.

In the Republican party, when someone is caught taking bribes or luxury vacations from billionaires then the rest of the party rallies behind them and says all the accusations are a fake DemocRAT witch hunt.

In the Democratic party, when someone is caught doing the same thing the rest of the party whines loudly about it and then does nothing to actually force the corrupt politician to face consequences.

Truly the best country on Earth!

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (8 children)

No consequences other than the indictment and charges he's facing?

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[–] TheaoneAndOnly27@kbin.social 9 points 1 year ago (26 children)
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[–] LiorLueg@mastodon.social 0 points 1 year ago

@queermunist @MicroWave You're right, but I do not think the US is the best country. I'm not saying Russia and/or China are good, they clearly aren't.

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