Menendez won’t attend a classified briefing on Israel after foreign agent charge

Congress

Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez will not attend a classified briefing on Israel this week, according to Chuck Schumer.

The news comes after Menendez was hit with a foreign agent charge last week, adding to other earlier charges.

While Menendez originally brushed aside questions on Tuesday about whether or not he would attend the hearing, it’s certainly an awkward spot for the senator, who was chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just weeks ago. Menendez has a long record of advocating for Israel and working on Israel-related policy.

When POLITICO asked Menendez on Tuesday morning whether or not he would attend the briefing, he said, “I haven’t made a decision.”

“I have enough information to know what I need to do as it relates to supporting the state of Israel,” Menendez said, adding that he’s not sure whether a briefing would be “helpful.”

Menendez later told reporters that it was his decision not to attend the briefing, again citing his extensive knowledge of the subject.

The question of whether Menendez should have access to classified information has lingered over the Senate since his indictment last month. But a charge alleging he acted as a foreign agent for Egypt carries new implications for national security. Menendez has vehemently denied the charges and has made no indication that he intends to step down from his seat.

Burgess Everett contributed to this report.