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Top New York Congressional Democrats Call for Cuomo’s Resignation
Two top New York Democrats have joined others in calling for Andrew Cuomo’s resignation as governor after several people accused him of sexual misconduct.
On Friday, Reps. Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined several of their colleagues in the Democratic party in calling for Cuomo’s resignation.
Ocasio-Cortes, along with Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), released a statement. In it, they noted that this week, another sexual assault and a sixth harassment allegation was made against the governor. They added that the reports were alarming. It made them raise concerns regarding how safe the state administration’s staff are.
On Friday afternoon, Cuomo had a press call, saying he would not resign. He adamantly said he did not do what he was accused of.
New Allegations Against Cuomo Surface
The legislators addressed the matter following an Albany Times Union report surfaced. The report said Cuomo had groped a woman while they were at the executive mansion. The woman said Cuomo called for her to go there because he had asked for help regarding a cellphone issue. According to the paper, the governor reached under her blouse.
On Wednesday, Cuomo denied the accusations. He said he had never done anything like this.
The woman in the said report is the sixth one to come out with allegations against the New York governor. These accusations also serve as the latest one that Cuomo is facing.
For four months, Cuomo has somewhat managed to dodge criticisms and punishment regarding the way he handled COVID-19 response and the recording of cases among nursing homes. Regarding this, the New York state attorney general released a report. The report revealed that deaths in nursing homes were undercounted by up to 50 percent.
Recently, this coronavirus-related scandal of Cuomo’s has been brushed aside. This comes after claims of sexual harassment and assault surfaced against him. These claims range from inappropriate remarks to groping.
Last month, the governor released an apology. In it, he mentioned he might have made insensitive or overly personal remarks to people around him. He said this may have made other people feel things he did not intend. However, Cuomo was adamant that he did not inappropriately touch anyone.
Democrats Ask for Cuomo's Resignation
Nevertheless, more and more Democrats have called for the governor’s resignation. Apart from Ocasio-Cortez and Nadler, several other representatives like Nyda Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney, and Sean Patrick Maloney, among several more, also called for Cuomo to step down.
Nadler said such accusations are “credible” and that they should be taken seriously. He also said that the people of New York lost confidence in Cuomo, so the governor must resign.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio reiterated his call for Cuomo to resign on Friday. He said that Cuomo should resign as he can’t do his job anymore. He also told Cuomo to “do something that’s decent” after the many indecent things he allegedly did and resign.
The statements calling for Cuomo to step down came one day after the state’s Assembly started the efforts to impeach him.
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