WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison following his conviction on multiple corruption charges, including acting as a foreign agent for Egypt while serving in the U.S. Senate.
Menendez, a longtime Democrat and once the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was found guilty of accepting bribes and leveraging his position to benefit foreign interests—making him the first sitting or former senator in U.S. history convicted of secretly working on behalf of a foreign government.
Menendez Lashes Out at Justice System
Standing outside the courthouse following his sentencing, Menendez did not express remorse. Instead, he lashed out at the legal process, calling it “politically motivated.”
“President Trump was correct… this process is political and corrupt,” Menendez told reporters. He stopped short of directly requesting a pardon from Trump but hinted that his legal team may consider it.
The former senator compared his prosecution to what he described as the “weaponization of the justice system” against political figures, including Trump.
Fall From Power
Menendez resigned from the Senate last year after being stripped of his committee leadership roles. At the time, he was already under intense scrutiny for his ties to foreign interests and lavish gifts allegedly exchanged for political favors.
Despite his conviction, sources close to Menendez say he is considering a political comeback—this time as an independent.
The sentencing brings an end to one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent political history and adds to growing public concern over foreign influence in American politics.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
