Fox News reported this week that a jury found New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez guilty of multiple corruption-related charges.

According to Politico, that development has the Senate's top Democrat now calling for Menendez to resign.  

Chuck Schumer: "Menendez must now do what is right"

The call came in the form of a brief statement put out by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday that read, "In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign."

Politico noted that Schumer has hitherto resisted demands that he condemn Menendez, a move which brought criticism from Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.

Fetterman complained during a March interview with CNN host Manu Raju that it is "clear that my colleagues want to keep him [Menendez] around. And now we have his trial in less than two months and that’s going to handle it."

Sen John Fetterman (D-PA) to CNN’s @mkraju on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ):

“He’s got to go … And that arrogance, where he’s now saying, ‘I’m not going anywhere’ — it’s like, my dude, you are going somewhere. It’s going to be an election or it’s going to be a conviction.” pic.twitter.com/Eo6YmYsjzP

— The Recount (@therecount) September 28, 2023

When Raju asked, "What does it say about this institution that he’s still serving in here?" Fetterman offered a scathing response.

Fetterman: Menendez has "gotta go"

"I don’t know what it says other than that they're just okay with having a sleazeball in the Senate," the freshman senator asserted.

Fetterman went on to declare that Menendez "gotta go," predicting that the New Jersey Democrat will be removed either by an election loss or a criminal conviction.

Menendez was indicted on bribery charges by the Department of Justice (DOJ) this past September alongside his wife, Nadine Menendez, as well as co-defendants Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe.

"The FBI has made investigating public corruption a top priority since our founding — nothing has changed," FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith was quoted as saying in a DOJ press release.

Over half a million dollars in cash and gold found at Menendez's home

"The alleged conduct in this conspiracy damages the public’s faith in our system of government and brings undue scorn to the honest and dedicated public servants who carry out their duties on a daily basis," Smith declared.

"To those inclined to use the status of their public office for personal benefit, or those willing to provide bribes in an attempt to gain influence from a public official, the FBI will ensure that you face the consequences in the criminal justice system for your underhanded dealings," he went on to add.

The press release noted that FBI agents discovered nearly $480,000 in cash at Menendez's home along with $100,000 worth of gold bars.