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Al Franken resigns from Senate over sexual misconduct allegations Al Franken resigns from Senate over sexual misconduct allegations
(35 minutes later)
Senator Al Franken announced his resignation on Thursday, becoming the highest ranking US politician yet to step down in the wake of widening allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful men in Hollywood, Silicon Valley, the media and politics. Senator Al Franken announced his resignation on Thursday, becoming the highest-ranking US politician yet to step down in the wake of widening allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful men in Hollywood, Silicon Valley, the media and politics.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Franken, who said he would quit in the coming weeks, said “all women deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously”.Speaking on the Senate floor, Franken, who said he would quit in the coming weeks, said “all women deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously”.
But he said that his response to the sexual misconduct allegations against him “gave some people the false impression that I was admitting doing things that I hadn’t done. Some of the allegations against me are simply not true. Others I remember differently.”But he said that his response to the sexual misconduct allegations against him “gave some people the false impression that I was admitting doing things that I hadn’t done. Some of the allegations against me are simply not true. Others I remember differently.”
Serving in the US Senate was, he said “the great honor of my life”.Serving in the US Senate was, he said “the great honor of my life”.
“I know in my heart that nothing I have done as a senator – nothing – has brought dishonor on this institution.”“I know in my heart that nothing I have done as a senator – nothing – has brought dishonor on this institution.”
Nevertheless, he said, “I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.”Nevertheless, he said, “I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate.”
His decision followed a cascade of calls on Wednesday led by Senate Democratic women who urged Franken, one of their party’s most popular figures, to step down. Their push to remove the former comedian from office is a striking indicator of the growing intolerance of sexual harassment over the past few months.His decision followed a cascade of calls on Wednesday led by Senate Democratic women who urged Franken, one of their party’s most popular figures, to step down. Their push to remove the former comedian from office is a striking indicator of the growing intolerance of sexual harassment over the past few months.
“Enough is enough,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in a lengthy Facebook post that started the wave.“Enough is enough,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in a lengthy Facebook post that started the wave.
“As elected officials, we should be held to the highest standards – not the lowest,” Gillibrand continued. “The allegations against Sen Franken describe behavior that cannot be tolerated. While he’s entitled to an ethics committee hearing, I believe he should step aside to let someone else serve.”“As elected officials, we should be held to the highest standards – not the lowest,” Gillibrand continued. “The allegations against Sen Franken describe behavior that cannot be tolerated. While he’s entitled to an ethics committee hearing, I believe he should step aside to let someone else serve.”
By the end of the day, the majority of the Democratic caucus, including minority leader Chuck Schumer, had called on Franken to step down. By the end of the day, the majority of the Democratic caucus, including the minority leader, Chuck Schumer, had called on Franken to step down.
“I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments,” Schumer said in a statement. “But he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately.”“I consider Senator Franken a dear friend and greatly respect his accomplishments,” Schumer said in a statement. “But he has a higher obligation to his constituents and the Senate, and he should step down immediately.”
Schumer worked quietly throughout the day on Wednesday urging Franken to step down. According to a person familiar with the call, the minority leader called Franken early on Wednesday before any of his colleagues made public statements to deliver that message and later that day met Franken and his wife at Schumer’s Washington apartment.Schumer worked quietly throughout the day on Wednesday urging Franken to step down. According to a person familiar with the call, the minority leader called Franken early on Wednesday before any of his colleagues made public statements to deliver that message and later that day met Franken and his wife at Schumer’s Washington apartment.
Schumer, along with several of the women who had called for Franken’s removal, sat on the Senate floor with their chairs swiveled toward Franken as he announced his resignation. Gillibrand could be seen wiping her eyes.Schumer, along with several of the women who had called for Franken’s removal, sat on the Senate floor with their chairs swiveled toward Franken as he announced his resignation. Gillibrand could be seen wiping her eyes.
In the gallery above, Senate staff and aides passed tissues, sniffling as Franken moved through his 11-minute remarks.In the gallery above, Senate staff and aides passed tissues, sniffling as Franken moved through his 11-minute remarks.
“What I want you to know,” Franken said, directing his comments at the next generation of political activists, “is that even today, even on the worst day of my political life, I feel like it’s all been worth it.”“What I want you to know,” Franken said, directing his comments at the next generation of political activists, “is that even today, even on the worst day of my political life, I feel like it’s all been worth it.”
He continued: “I know that the work I’ve been able to do has improved people’s lives. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”He continued: “I know that the work I’ve been able to do has improved people’s lives. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
When Franken finished, the room feel silent. Several colleagues shuffled over to offer their support. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s senior senator, reached Franken first and pulled him in for a hug. And Republican senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring at the end of his term, crossed the aisle to shake Franken’s hand.When Franken finished, the room feel silent. Several colleagues shuffled over to offer their support. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s senior senator, reached Franken first and pulled him in for a hug. And Republican senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring at the end of his term, crossed the aisle to shake Franken’s hand.
But in perhaps another sign of the toxicity around men accused of sexual misconduct at this political moment, no one rose to speak in tribute after he left, only silence as he hugged staff before walking off the floor.But in perhaps another sign of the toxicity around men accused of sexual misconduct at this political moment, no one rose to speak in tribute after he left, only silence as he hugged staff before walking off the floor.
In the last several weeks, Franken, 66, has been accused by more than half a dozen women of groping or trying to forcibly kiss them. The senator has apologized for his behavior and asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate him.In the last several weeks, Franken, 66, has been accused by more than half a dozen women of groping or trying to forcibly kiss them. The senator has apologized for his behavior and asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate him.
As early as this week, Franken appeared poised to ride out the controversy, even as John Conyers, the longest serving African American House member, left Congress amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment. Earlier this week Franken appeared poised to ride out the controversy, even as John Conyers, the longest-serving African American House member, left Congress amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment.
In his remarks on Thursday, Franken drew a contrast between himself and Donald Trump and Roy Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama, both of whom have rejected sexual assault allegations against them.In his remarks on Thursday, Franken drew a contrast between himself and Donald Trump and Roy Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama, both of whom have rejected sexual assault allegations against them.
“I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the senate with the full support of his party,” he said. “I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party,” he said.
In a sharp contrast, the Republican National Committee this week renewed its support for Moore, who is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior with teenage girls and women, including sexual assault. Trump too announced his support for Moore even as new details emerged that appeared to corroborate the women’s accounts.In a sharp contrast, the Republican National Committee this week renewed its support for Moore, who is facing multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior with teenage girls and women, including sexual assault. Trump too announced his support for Moore even as new details emerged that appeared to corroborate the women’s accounts.
Franken’s resignation marked a sharp descent for a man whose political fortunes were on the rise. He had emerged a liberal hero in the Trump era and was his name was whispered as a potential presidential contender in 2020. Franken’s resignation marked a sharp descent for a man whose political fortunes were on the rise. He had emerged a liberal hero in the Trump era and his name was whispered as a potential presidential contender in 2020.
But on Wednesday, two more women woman stepped forward to accuse the former Saturday Night Live star of making an unwanted sexual advances. But on Wednesday, two more women stepped forward to accuse the former Saturday Night Live star of making unwanted sexual advances.
A former congressional aide whose name was withheld told Politico that Franken had tried to forcibly kiss her after a taping of his radio show in 2006, two years before his election to the Senate. The woman alleged that Franken had told her:“It’s my right as an entertainer.” Her story appeared to be the final straw for the Democratic women of the Senate. A former congressional aide whose name was withheld told Politico that Franken had tried to forcibly kiss her after a taping of his radio show in 2006, two years before his election to the Senate. The woman alleged that Franken had told her: “It’s my right as an entertainer.” Her story appeared to be the final straw for the Democratic women of the Senate.
Then, later that day, in a first-hand account published in the Atlantic, Tina Dupuy accused Franken of groping her while posing for a photo during a party for the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters celebrating the first presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.Then, later that day, in a first-hand account published in the Atlantic, Tina Dupuy accused Franken of groping her while posing for a photo during a party for the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters celebrating the first presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
Among the other women who have accused Franken of sexual impropriety is Leeann Tweeden, a radio broadcaster who has charged that Franken tried to forcibly kiss her during a 2006 tour to entertain US troops. Tweeden also released a photo in which Franken appeared to place his hands over her breasts while she was sleeping.Among the other women who have accused Franken of sexual impropriety is Leeann Tweeden, a radio broadcaster who has charged that Franken tried to forcibly kiss her during a 2006 tour to entertain US troops. Tweeden also released a photo in which Franken appeared to place his hands over her breasts while she was sleeping.
Franken has said that in some instances that he did not recall the incident in the same way as the women, while saying of others that he could not remember. Franken has said that in some instances he did not recall the incident in the same way as the women, while saying of others that he could not remember.
Politics was far from Franken’s first act. He got his start onSaturday Night Live in 1975, where he was a founding member of the show’s writing staff and a frequent performer.Politics was far from Franken’s first act. He got his start onSaturday Night Live in 1975, where he was a founding member of the show’s writing staff and a frequent performer.
In 2004, Franken started as a co-host of the flagship program on Air America, a left-leaning radio network with the ambition to rival conservative talk radio. The showed ended when Franken announced his candidacy for the Senate in 2007.In 2004, Franken started as a co-host of the flagship program on Air America, a left-leaning radio network with the ambition to rival conservative talk radio. The showed ended when Franken announced his candidacy for the Senate in 2007.
Franken arrived belatedly in the Senate after a hotly contested race in 2008, that was determined by only 312 votes and an eight-month legal battle. He was seated in July 2009, more than six months after his term began. He was re-elected in 2014 by a more comfortable margin.Franken arrived belatedly in the Senate after a hotly contested race in 2008, that was determined by only 312 votes and an eight-month legal battle. He was seated in July 2009, more than six months after his term began. He was re-elected in 2014 by a more comfortable margin.
As as senator, Franken has sought to shed his funnyman image. He heightened his profile earlier this year, emerging as a sharp-tongued foil to Trump after a series of combative exchanges during the nomination hearings for presidential cabinet nominees.As as senator, Franken has sought to shed his funnyman image. He heightened his profile earlier this year, emerging as a sharp-tongued foil to Trump after a series of combative exchanges during the nomination hearings for presidential cabinet nominees.
When Franken officials leaves the Senate, his replacement will be appointed by Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Mark Dayton, to serve until the 2018 election. When Franken leaves the Senate, his replacement will be appointed by Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Mark Dayton, to serve until the 2018 election.
In a series of social media posts and statements on Wednesday, colleagues described Franken as a “dear friend” but said that did not excuse his behavior.In a series of social media posts and statements on Wednesday, colleagues described Franken as a “dear friend” but said that did not excuse his behavior.
“I consider Senator Franken to be a friend and have enjoyed working with him in the Senate in our shared fight to help American families,” Gillibrand wrote.“I consider Senator Franken to be a friend and have enjoyed working with him in the Senate in our shared fight to help American families,” Gillibrand wrote.
“But this moment of reckoning about our friends and colleagues who have been accused of sexual misconduct is necessary, and it is painful. We must not lose sight that this watershed moment is bigger than any one industry, any one party, or any one person.”“But this moment of reckoning about our friends and colleagues who have been accused of sexual misconduct is necessary, and it is painful. We must not lose sight that this watershed moment is bigger than any one industry, any one party, or any one person.”