Al Franken: Back at work, contrite senator says he “let a lot of people down” and vows to work hard to regain their trust.
WASHINGTON — A contrite Al Franken said Monday he knows he “let a lot of people down” — the people of Minnesota, Senate colleagues and staff — amid accusations of sexually inappropriate behavior. He vowed to try to regain their trust.
The Democrat and former “Saturday Night Live” comedian was a far cry from his jocular self as he delivered a brief statement outside his office and answered a few questions from reporters more than a week after the complaints surfaced.
One woman alleges Franken forcibly kissed her on a USO tour and took a sexually suggestive photo while she was sleeping; three other women allege Franken grabbed their buttocks while posing with them for photos during separate campaign events in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Franken dismissed a question about resignation and promised to cooperate with a Senate Ethics Committee investigation.
“I’ve been trying to take responsibility by apologizing. And by apologizing to the people I’ve let down. And I’m going to work to regain their trust. I am going to be accountable,” he said. “I know I let a lot of people down . ... Everyone counted on me to be a champion for women.”
The senator had remained largely out of sight during the congressional break and had no public events. Ahead of a Senate vote Monday night, Franken spoke briefly to reporters.
“I know there are no magic words I can say to regain your trust and I know that’s going to take time,” Franken said. “I’m ready to start that process and it starts with going back to work today.”
Franken’s interviews with Minnesota media outlets over the weekend were the first he granted since being swept into a nationwide tide of sexual misconduct allegations. Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore is accused of initiating sexual conduct with teenagers during the 1970s. And Michigan Rep. John Conyers is giving up his leadership position as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee amid a congressional probe into allegations of sexual harassment. Both men deny the allegations.
Franken faces a Senate ethics investigation, though it’s unclear when that review may begin. Franken, who hasn’t faced widespread calls to resign, said he will fully cooperate.
Franken said he spent the holiday break with his wife and the rest of his family. He sidestepped when asked whether the allegations would make him less effective in the Senate.
Franken is set to face voters again in 2020, but was mum about whether he would run for a third term.