Schumer, Gillibrand join list, saying he’s lost public’s trust
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo remained defiant and defensive Friday, insisting in a midday conference call with reporters that he would not resign despite a growing number of calls from his fellow Democrats — a list that by nightfall included U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and more than a dozen members of the state’s House delegation.
“I never harassed anyone, I never abused anyone, I never assaulted anyone, and I never would,” Cuomo said in what was ostensibly a briefing on the state’s response to COVID -19. “I’m not going to resign. I was not elected by politicians; I was elected by the people.”
The governor at times attempted to minimize the allegations against him as little more than women upset about how he had posed with them in photos.
The allegations, however, are
far more serious: One of his accusers has said he kissed her without her consent at work; another said he asked her if she liked to sleep with older men and if she was able to enjoy sexual intercourse as a survivor of sexual assault; and a third woman whose claims were reported by the Times Union this week has accused Cuomo of groping her at the Executive Mansion in a sexually aggressive manner — a matter that on Wednesday was referred to the Albany police department.
“What is being alleged just did not happen,” Cuomo said. “I have not had a sexual relationship that was inappropriate. Period.”
He has repeated that he never touched anyone “inappropriately,” but declined to elaborate on what that means in context. A reporter asked him to clarify whether he ever believed himself to be in a consensual relationship with a staffer that she may have interpreted as harassment, and Cuomo responded that his statements have been clear — but he never directly answered the question.
The governor added that with the multiple crises facing the state — fiscal and economic, as well as the ongoing vaccination effort — he believes he’s still best positioned person to lead New York.
“I won’t speculate about people’s possible motives. But I can tell you as a former attorney general who’s gone through this situation many times, there are often many motivations for making an allegation. And that is why you need to know the facts before you make a decision,” Cuomo said. “People know the difference between playing politics — bowing to cancel culture — and the truth.”
He denounced the calls for his resignation as irresponsible and reckless before state Attorney General Letitia James is able to complete her investigation into the harassment claims.
“Part of this is that I’m not part of the political club. And you know what? I’m proud of it,” said the three-term governor, who is the son of a threeterm governor, was previously married to a member of the Kennedy family, and served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
Throughout the day, the calls for his exit rolled in — a significant sign of the governor’s dwindling support among lawmakers within his own party.
“Confronting and overcoming the COVID crisis requires sure and steady leadership,” Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a joint statement. “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 Gov. Cuomo has lost the confidence
of his governing partners and the people of New York. Gov. Cuomo should resign.”
More than a dozen Democratic members of New York’s congressional delegation issued similar statements.
“While I have previously called for an independent investigation — now underway — into serious and credible claims against Gov. Cuomo, it has become clear the governor has lost the public trust needed to effectively lead this state. I see no choice but to call for him to resign,” U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-amsterdam, said in a statement. “New York continues to grapple with extraordinary loss and challenge in the face of the COVID pandemic. These distractions and a diminishing confidence in our state’s executive leadership hinder our collective efforts to overcome these challenges.”
Rep. Antonio Delgado, D -Kingston, whose district includes Capital Region suburbs, tweeted on Friday morning that Cuomo should go: “Being the governor of New York state is a privilege,” he wrote. “Withholding critical information from the public, combined with growing allegations of threats, bullying and sexual harassment, reflects a culture of aggression that is unfit to lead. The governor must resign.”
Nine of the 13 members of Congress making the call are from Cuomo’s traditional electoral stronghold of New York City, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Alexandria Ocasio-cortez, one of the country’s most popular progressive politicians.
The list of lawmakers includes both those that have been critical of Cuomo in the past and others who have worked more closely with him. The apparently coordinated statements calling for Cuomo’s resignation also came from New York City Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jamaal Bowman, Adriano Espaillat, Yvette Clarke, Nydia Velazquez, Mondaire Jones and Grace Meng.
Similar calls for resignation came from Rep. Brian Higgins of Western New York and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who represents a Hudson Valley district.
Many members of the state Legislature have called for Cuomo to resign, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andreastewart Cousins. And on Thursday, the state Assembly began an investigation into Cuomo’s alleged sexual harassment that could kick off impeachment proceedings.
Also Friday, state Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, who has on occasion clashed with Cuomo, joined those calling for his exit.
“These allegations are extremely disturbing and are impairing Gov. Cuomo’s ability to lead, as our state struggles through a crisis and must make critical budget decisions,” Dinapoli said in a Tweet. “It is time for him to step down.”