The grossest part of the Bob Menendez story

Ewww.

(New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez)

The details are pretty remarkable.

Bob Menendez, a Democratic Senator from New Jersey, has been charged with bribery. As part of the investigation into him, authorities revealed that they had found — in his home — the following:

• $100,000 worth of gold bars(!)

• $480,000 in cash — much of it stuffed into clothes, some with Menendez’s name on them.

• A new Mercedes-Benz convertible

Which seems bad! (And is very, um, hard to explain for a senator whose yearly salary, not for nothing, is $174,000.)

But, for me, that’s not the worst part of this story. The worst part is how Menendez sought to defend himself against the charges — after a slew of Democratic elected officials, including the state’s governor, called on him to resign.

“It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat,” Menendez said. “I am not going anywhere.”

He added this: “Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino-American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator. Even worse, they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals.”

To which I say: Really???

What part of the $100,000 in gold bars or the nearly $500,000 in straight cash was predicated on Menendez being Latino? Or had ANYTHING to do with his heritage?

Answer: None.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, herself a Latino, dismissed Menendez’s defense over the weekend.

“There are absolutely ways in which there is systemic bias,” she said. “But I think what is here in this indictment is quite clear.”

Or, as Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat, put it: “It’s Senator Menendez’s character that’s being judged, not his heritage.”

Then there’s the ridiculous claim from Menendez that “those behind this campaign” are targeting him because “they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals.”

Again, I ask: What?!?!

This federal indictment came down from the Justice Department. Which is run by Merrick Garland. Who was appointed to the job by Joe Biden. Who served with Bob Menendez in the Senate.

Like, what agenda do “they” have to get Menendez? And if they DID have an agenda to get him, wouldn’t the White House already be pushing him out? (They are doing no such thing; “Of course we see this as a serious matter,” said press secretary Karine Jean Pierre on Monday. “And I’m just going to leave it there for now.”)

The simple fact is that what Menendez is engaging in is the lowest and most craven sort of politics. He is looking for ANY defense, a foothold for his crumbling political reputation.

And so he latches onto the idea that because he is a Latino, he has somehow been unfairly targeted by the federal government. What proof does he offer for such a bold — and explosive — claim? Oh, none.

This should make Democrats angry. Because if you believe there are systemic issues with the way justice is meted out in this country — as AOC maintained — then you should be outraged at someone like Menendez reaching for the race/ethnicity card solely as a means to save his own ass.

It’s why I, frankly, have been surprised that more Democrats in the Senate haven’t been willing to call for Menendez’s resignation.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the party leader, said only that “Bob Menendez has been a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey. He has a right to due process and a fair trial.”

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin called it a “very serious charge” but stopped short of calling on Menendez to resign.

In fact, as of this writing, only a single Democratic Senator — Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman — has said publicly that Menendez needs to go.

“He’s entitled to the presumption of innocence, but he cannot continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations,” said Fetterman in a statement posted on Twitter X. “I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial.”

And, on Monday, a Fetterman spokesman took things even further.

“More Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have forcefully denounced how John Fetterman dresses than have called for Menendez to resign for being corrupt,” tweeted Joe Calvello, Fetterman’s director of communications. “This is a perfect snap shot of what is wrong with Washington and why people outside the Beltway have no faith in DC.”

(Fetterman’s campaign also said it would return Menendez’s contributions to the Pennsylvania Senator “in envelopes stuffed with $100 bills.” ZING!)

Look. Menendez is entitled to a defense. And the presumption of innocence. “The allegations leveled against me are just that — allegations,” he said at a press conference Monday in which he reiterated his refusal to step aside.

But, the court of public opinion — and politics — is something else entirely. Menendez discredits himself when he tries to make this about his heritage as opposed to the crimes he is alleged to have committed.

Democrats would do well to distance themselves from that argument — and Menendez — sooner rather than later.