At this point, even high-ranking Democrat officials are asking for the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo after seven accusers have come forward on sexual harassment allegations. New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have released a joint statement, noting that overcoming the COVID-19 crisis requires “sure and steady leadership.”
More than half of New York’s House delegation, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have also called for the resignation of Cuomo, despite President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris remaining silent on the issue. They said Cuomo’s pattern of sexual harassment and assault, along with hiding data on COVID-19 nursing home deaths, have been enough for a resignation. When will Biden call on him to step down?
“We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign,” the statement reads.
Cuomo, however, has refused to abandon his post and, instead, blamed his “downfall” on cancel culture. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, even called the claims “greatly exaggerated” and denied any wrongdoing.
“I did not do what has been alleged, period. People know the difference between playing politics, bowing to cancel culture, and the truth,” Cuomo said.
One insider even indicated that most of Cuomo’s staff have refused to come to work and that the offices at the Capitol remain empty. Virtually all staffers said they have been “eager” for the governor to step down and that they believe all seven accusers. The source said staffers want ‘the torture to stop’ and have called on the President to ask Cuomo to step down, choosing to work remotely or at vaccine sites for the time being.
One of the first women to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, Lindsey Boylan, even criticized the Biden Administration for staying silent and questioned the hypocrisy for not weighing in on the scandal. She wrote a series of now-deleted tweets calling on Biden and his team.
“The governor has denied all wrongdoing. He got on his platform today and said, ‘there are many motivations of why people do things.’ He is calling up hate and speculation to be directed to his accusers. All harm and hate directed at the women sits squarely on @NYGovCuomo,” Boylan wrote.
In a second tweet, she wrote that this “also calls into question the judgment and courage of both @POTUS and @KamalaHarris.”
No one is above the law, and these extraordinary accusations amid mounting pressure from officials should be enough for Biden and Harris to call on Cuomo’s administration. If Cuomo were a Republican, he would’ve been excused and re-elected a long time ago. Biden repeatedly applauded Cuomo during the height of the pandemic but has fallen oddly silent.
