The Left can’t win when confronted with the truth. But sometimes they can’t escape it.
And a top Democrat went ballistic after being asked one question by a reporter.
On Wednesday, a reporter approached Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez (D-NJ) about his presence at a confidential briefing on Ukraine despite facing charges of illegal ties to Egypt, including conspiring to be a foreign agent of that nation while in office.
CNN’s Manu Raju followed up with Menendez on Capitol Hill, questioning him about his attendance after the senator missed a secret briefing on Israel two weeks earlier.
Raju stated in his inquiry that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) did not allow Menendez to attend the prior briefing, prompting the New Jersey Democrat to respond.
“First of all, you’re wrong about that. He didn’t say, ‘You can’t go’ … he didn’t not let me,” Menendez said.
The senator stated that he attended the most recent session “because getting an update on Ukraine is something that’s worthy as we consider the supplemental.”
Raju kept up the pressure, saying, “You’re being accused of aiding a foreign government.”
He followed up by asking, “Why is it appropriate for you to go to a classified briefing?”
Menendez responded, “You know, Manu, I know you’ve got to make news. Bottom line is I’m a United States senator, I have my security credentials, and an accusation is just that. It’s not proof of anything.”
CNN's political correspondent confronted Sen. Menendez on attending a classified briefing pic.twitter.com/RH9GxsAUdA
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 1, 2023
The New Jersey senator has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to accusations of conspiring to operate as a foreign agent of the Egyptian government, as well as related allegations relating to an Egypt-linked bribery scheme in which his wife and others allegedly participated.
Menendez resigned as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, which Schumer described as “temporarily” until the legal problem was handled.
According to CNN, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who took over as head of the panel in September, said Menendez “has every right” to attend secret briefings as a member of the Senate and that the latest “had nothing to do with” the claims.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-NJ), a member of their party, has called on the Senate to expel Menendez.
After the Israel briefing earlier last month, Fetterman reportedly said, “I’m glad he wasn’t in there and he shouldn’t be in the Senate. We’ve got to chuck him.”
Say what you will about Fetterman and his mental capacity after suffering a stroke, at least he has the honesty to admit that Menendez being given classified info is a joke.
While Menendez is under suspicion, he ought to be under suspension.
Maybe he didn’t commit a crime, but why run the risk?
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
