In a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre found herself at a loss for words when questioned about President Biden's stance on the attendance of Senator Bob Menendez at a classified Ukraine briefing.
The Democratic Senator has recently been embroiled in controversy following charges of acting as a foreign agent.
In a superseding indictment filed last month, a federal grand jury in Manhattan alleged that Senator Menendez had secretly aided the Egyptian Government by providing sensitive U.S. Government information. This indictment follows an announcement in September by federal prosecutors that Senator Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, were facing charges of bribery and corruption.
The indictment, obtained by federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, contained three counts against the New Jersey Senator and his wife. "The Senator and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.. cash, gold, home mortgage payments, jobs, cars, and other things of value," stated U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.
These bribes were allegedly in exchange for the Senator using his influence to benefit certain New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government.
Nadine Menendez was also implicated in the indictment, with allegations of receiving a "no-show" or "low-show" job, a Mercedes Benz, and other items of value. Special agents reportedly found $500,000 in cash hidden in envelopes in closets, some of which were found in the Senator's jacket pockets and bore the fingerprints and DNA of Daibes, according to Williams.
CNN reporter Manu Raju confronted Senator Menendez on Wednesday, questioning the appropriateness of his attendance at a classified briefing given the accusations against him. Menendez dismissed the question, stating, "You know, Manu, I know you need to make news. The bottom line is Im a United States Senator, I have my security credentials and an accusation is just that."
When a reporter asked Jean-Pierre if the White House was concerned about Senator Menendez's attendance at the classified briefing, given the charges against him, she was unable to provide a clear response. "I dont have anything to say," she said, visibly flustered.
Login