Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) called for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to resign from the Senate on Saturday, making him the first senator to call for Menendez’s resignation since he was indicted on federal bribery charges.
“Senator Menendez should resign,” Fetterman wrote in a post on Twitter. “He’s entitled to the presumption of innocence, but he cannot continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations.”
“I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial,” he added.
Menendez was indicted for allegedly accepting bribes to use his position to benefit three New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government.
In a statement Friday Menendez rejected calls to resign and said he plans to fight the bribery and corruption charges, according to NBC News.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades,” Menendez said. “This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.”
