New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has joined a growing number of Democrats calling for Democratic Senator Robert Menendez to resign following his indictment on federal bribery charges. Murphy called the allegations "deeply disturbing" and said they "implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system." While Murphy acknowledged that Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty, he argued that the serious nature of the charges compromises Menendez's ability to effectively represent the people of New Jersey.

The indictment alleges that Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in exchange for using his power and influence to enrich and protect three New Jersey businessmen and benefit Egypt's government through the approval of arms sales. Menendez, along with his wife Nadine Menendez and the three businessmen, face charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The defendants are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan next week.

During a search of the Menendezes' home in June 2022, federal agents found over $480,000 in cash, gold bars worth more than $100,000, and over $70,000 in a safe deposit box belonging to Nadine Menendez. The bribes also allegedly included mortgage payments, compensation for a "low-or-no-show job," and a luxury vehicle.

Menendez vehemently denied the charges, calling them “baseless” and part of an "active smear campaign." However, several Democratic members of New Jersey's congressional delegation, including Rep. Andy Kim and former federal prosecutor Mikie Sherrill, joined Murphy in calling for Menendez's resignation. They argued that if the allegations are proven true, there is no room for such conduct in public service.

Despite calls for his resignation, Menendez has not indicated any plans to step down from his Senate seat. He did, however, relinquish his post as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as required under the rules of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Prominent Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, declined to call for Menendez's resignation. They maintained that Menendez has the right to due process and a fair trial, and that the legal process should be allowed to move forward without prejudice.

This is not the first time Menendez has faced legal trouble. He was indicted in 2015 on bribery and conspiracy charges related to gifts he allegedly received from a wealthy Democratic donor in exchange for political favors. That case ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

The indictment against Menendez and his wife is the result of a yearslong public-corruption investigation by the Justice Department. It alleges that Menendez and his wife accepted bribes in exchange for using his position as a U.S. senator to benefit the three businessmen and Egypt's government. Prosecutors included photos of cash and gold bars seized during the search of the Menendez home as evidence.

Menendez, who has been in Congress since 1992 and was appointed to the Senate in 2006, has risen to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. However, the indictment has raised questions about his ability to effectively carry out his duties while facing such serious charges.

This is a developing story, and more information is expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds.