The Parties Should Be Strong Enough to Get Rid of Their Menendezes

The allegations that amount to almost cartoonish levels of corruption with which Senator Bob Menendez is charged prompted a deluge of calls for his resignation from his fellow Democrats. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, several prominent members of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation, and a variety of left-wing activists and media figures want Menendez to call it a career. But so far, most of the senator’s colleagues in the upper chamber have held their fire. 

Only Senator John Fetterman has publicly called for Menendez to step down, which is more likely a reflection of his contempt for the Senate’s clubby codes of conduct than an expression of his moral compass. And yet, some statements from the majority party’s members do seem excessively deferential to the accused. “Bob Menendez has been a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey,” read Senator Chuck Schumer’s terse statement on the accusations against his colleague. “He has a right to due process and a fair trial.” The implication that the Senate majority should feel no special urgency to be rid of Menendez is receiving some support from the right.