Pelosi backtracks, calls on Conyers to resign amid sex allegations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Democrat in the House reversed course on Thursday and after initially defending Michigan Rep. John Conyers in the face of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, she is now calling for him to resign. Conyers’ lawyer swiftly rejected the request, saying Nancy Pelosi “sure as hell won’t be the one to tell the congressman to leave.”

House Minority Leader Pelosi called the accusations against Conyers, the longest serving member of the House, “very credible” and “serious,” and said he should step down after decades on Capitol Hill. Conyers was first elected in 1964.

Pelosi said she prayed for the 88-year-old Democratic congressman, who was hospitalized in Detroit, and his family. “However,” she said, “Congressman Conyers should resign.”

On Sunday, Pelosi called Conyers an “icon” and argued for him to stay in office while an Ethics Committee investigation was conducted.

A wave of allegations against titans of entertainment, media and sports has resulted in swift punishment. In Congress, however, two powerful Democrats facing accusations — Conyers and Minnesota Sen. Al Franken — have remained in their jobs.

In Michigan, Conyers’ attorney, Arnold Reed, strongly dismissed the growing clamor for Conyers to step aside, coming not only from Pelosi but other Democrats. Conyers, who has insisted on his innocence, gave up his seat as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee on Sunday while holding onto his congressional seat.

Marion Brown, 61, said the congressman propositioned her for sex multiple times over more than a decade. Brown initially told her story to BuzzFeed News on condition of anonymity, saying she’d settled a complaint in 2015 with Conyers over the allegations, according to her attorney.

“It was sexual harassment ... violating my body,” Brown said Thursday. “Propositioning me. Inviting me to hotels with the guise of discussing business and then propositioning me ... for sex.”

Brown told The Associated Press that if asked, she would testify before the House Ethics Committee.