Sen. Menendez 'Prepared To Sit In Judgement' If Trump Impeached

NEWARK, NJ — There needs to be accountability for the “armed, violent insurrection” that took place at the U.S. Capitol, according to Sen. Bob Menendez. But if President Donald Trump refuses to “step aside” willingly, New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator says that he’s ready to “sit in judgement” if impeachment proceedings march forward.

On Monday, Menendez released a statement as a growing chorus of Garden State officials call for the president’s ouster. READ MORE: NJ Lawmakers Call For President Trump's Removal

“There must be accountability for those who incite an armed, violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol that leaves five people dead and endangers the lives of members of Congress, their staff and the vice president,” Menendez wrote.

“Such action cannot go unpunished and we must make clear that there will be consequences for anyone actively working to subvert our democracy in the future,” Menendez continued. “For the good of the country, President Trump should step aside, but if he does not and if the House chooses to move forward with impeachment, I am prepared to sit in judgement as a member of the Senate.”

As someone who would sit as a juror in a Senate trial – the next step if the House of Representatives votes to impeach Trump – Menendez hasn’t indicated publicly where he stands on the issue.

U.S. Senators don’t have a vote on impeachment; only House members do.

It’s a stance the senator also took during last year’s impeachment proceedings against Trump. However, if history repeats itself, Trump may find himself behind the eight ball in New Jersey: Menendez voted twice to convict and remove the president from office at the conclusion of the trial.

Last week, New Jersey’s other U.S. senator, Cory Booker, said the vice president and cabinet should immediately invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office.

"Trump incited a violent insurrection against our own government," charged Booker, who has frequently sparred with the president on Twitter. "Congress should be prepared to impeach and remove the president if the vice president and cabinet fail to adhere to their constitutional duty. We must protect our national security."

Menendez and Booker both have offices in Newark.

• See related article: Sen. Cory Booker Says Impeach Trump, Or Invoke 25th Amendment
• See related article: Sen. Bob Menendez, Cory Booker Of NJ Decry 'Chaos' At Capitol

‘THIS WAS NOT AN ACT OF PATRIOTISM’

Shortly after chaos erupted last week and a pro-Trump mob stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden, Menendez marked himself and his staff as “safe” on social media.

“The scene in the Capitol goes against every value we pledge to uphold as a nation,” he wrote. “Democracy will prevail.”

That afternoon, Menendez said that he was “shedding a tear” for the nation.

He wrote:

"How we arrived at this moment, with domestic terrorists storming Congress and desecrating the Capitol, should be no mystery. This was not an act of patriotism, but an act of sedition. For months, President Trump has fed Americans a steady diet of lies and disinformation in an effort to overthrow the November 2020 election and cling on to power. This afternoon, the president poured fuel on that fire by inciting a lawless and violent takeover of the United States Capitol. But he alone is not solely responsible for today's chaos and disorder."

Menendez continued:

“For weeks, the same Republicans behind a meritless effort to disrupt the constitutionally-mandated certification of President-elect Biden's 306 electoral votes have parroted Donald Trump's wild and baseless conspiracy theories. It is outrageous that some members of the House and Senate would spread lies instead of upholding their oath to the Constitution, to stand up for truth, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The senator has also been vocal about the death of U.S. Capitol police officer and South River native, Brian Sicknick.

“I’m deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who gave his life defending democracy and protecting the lives of hundreds of men and women—including myself and my staff—during the storming of the U.S. Capitol by violent insurgents,” Menendez said.

“The domestic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Capitol and all those responsible for inciting this seditious attack must be held accountable,” he added.

• See related article: Plea For Help, Arlington Burial For Cop From NJ Killed In DC Riot

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