As RedState reported, long-time New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has been indicted along with his wife. The charges stem from alleged bribes paid to help secure favor from the Egyptian government for an American food producer. Some of the details in the filing are stunning, including gold bars being used as payment and sensitive government information being leaked. 

These photos from the Bob Menendez indictment are wild.

Bribed through gold bars, jackets stuffed with cash. Luxury vehicles.

Allegations that Menendez was essentially acting as an agent of Egypt while serving as a US Senator. pic.twitter.com/jtEI813c8p

— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) September 22, 2023

For his part, Menendez has denied the allegations, calling them an "active smear campaign." He also accused the DOJ of misrepresenting the "normal work" of a congressional office before playing the race card, claiming that people just can't accept a "first-generation Latino American" succeeding in life.

“They have misrepresented the normal work of a Congressional office. On top of that, not content with making false claims against me, they have attacked my wife for the longstanding friendships she had before she and I even met,” he said. “Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator and serve with honor and distinction. Even worse, they see me as an obstacle in the way of their broader political goals.”

Still, the calls to resign have begun, and they are coming from some big names. New Jersey's governor, Phil Murphy, is now calling for Menendez to resign. 

“The allegations in the indictment against Sen. Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system,” said Murphy in a statement. “Under our legal system, Sen. Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process. However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.”

Democrats have every incentive to send Menendez downriver at this point. It's a win-win for them in multiple ways. 

First, if Menendez resigns, it clears the way for a less scandal-plagued candidate to run for the same seat in 2024. With Republicans nearly taking the governorship in New Jersey in 2021, there has to be some fear that the senate seat is now in danger. If Menendez tries to stick this out, he could very well lose. The sooner he's gone, the sooner Democrats can find a replacement and take that probability off the table.

Secondly, Democrats would love to be able to claim they have the high ground when it comes to politicians being indicted. What better way to say "we aren't partisan" regarding the indictments against Donald Trump than to have Menendez step aside as a sacrificial lamb? I would bet that's exactly the thought process going on behind the scenes. It's a two-birds-with-one-stone situation. 

Don't kid yourself. Democrats haven't suddenly become moral beings when it comes to corruption. After all, they are in the midst of circling the wagons around the Biden family. With that said, what Democrats are is ruthless and calculating. If they need to throw someone under the bus to retain power, they'll do it. They aren't worried about making some virtuous point by sticking by their man. You almost have to respect the hustle.