Bob Menendez, the embattled senator from New Jersey, is making headlines once again—but this time for a potential plea to President Joe Biden for a pardon.
Convicted on all counts in his federal corruption trial, Menendez was found guilty of taking bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and lavish gifts in exchange for using his political clout to benefit businessmen with ties to foreign governments, including Egypt. The charges also included acting as an unregistered foreign agent, which rocked his long political career.
Menendez initially tried to keep his political career alive by filing to run for re-election as an independent. However, in mid-August 2024, just days before officially resigning from the Senate, he withdrew his candidacy.
The timing of this move, along with his ongoing efforts to appeal the conviction, has fueled speculation about whether he’s angling for a presidential pardon, especially since it aligns with President Biden’s remaining months in office.
Although there’s no official word yet on whether Biden will entertain such a pardon, the scandal has severely damaged Menendez’s once-powerful status in Washington, particularly as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Whether or not a pardon happens, this chapter marks the likely end of his 50-year political career.