Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez affirmed that the accusation against Bob Menéndez is “extremely serious” and demanded his resignation in Congress

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demanded that Bob Menéndez, senator from New Jersey and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, resign from his position because she considers the accusation that he received “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in bribes.

“The situation is quite unfortunate, but I think the best thing for Senator Menéndez is for him to resign at this time,” Ocasio Cortez recommended in an interview he gave to Margaret Brennan, moderator of the program. Face the nationfrom CBS News.

“Consistency matters. It shouldn’t matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat. The details of this accusation are extremely serious. “They involve the nature not only of him but of all our seats in Congress,” the congresswoman added.

On Friday, September 22, the New Jersey congressman, of Cuban origin, was accused along with his wife Nadine of having accepted bribes in exchange for benefiting businessmen and the Egyptian government. Hours later, the politician reported in a statement that he refused to resign.

“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. “I intend to continue fighting for the people of New Jersey with the same success that I have had over the last five decades,” he said in the text.

“It is not lost on me how quickly some are quick to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. “I’m not going anywhere,” he stated.

But Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in the interview with CBS News, did not support those allegations by Bob Menéndez. And she responded that, as a Latina, there are many ways for there to be systemic bias, but what happens in this specific case is “pretty clear,” which is why she considered it necessary that the integrity of the position be preserved.

“All people should be extended the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. That is the legal reality in our country. But when it comes to the level of politics and dignity that we want to maintain for the public in the United States Congress, I think (the resignation) is best for us,” the congresswoman emphasized.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also called on Menendez to remove himself from office while his legal process continued.

“Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence to challenge these charges, and we must respect the process,” Murphy said in a statement. “However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise Senator Menéndez’s ability to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I ask for his immediate resignation,” said the governor.

U.S. Attorney Damiam Williams said Menendez provided confidential U.S. government information to Egyptian officials and took steps to secretly assist the U.S. government.

The compensations, according to the investigations, occurred between 2018 and 2022. They would have contemplated the delivery of money, gold, mortgage payments, a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and a job for Nadine that almost did not require her presence.

Williams indicated that, during a raid on the senator’s residence, FBI agents obtained approximately $500,000 in cash, kept in envelopes and cabinets.

Three businessmen who allegedly bribed Menéndez are also charged in this case: Wael Hana, José Uribe and Fred Daibes.

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