Clamor for ouster of top three Democrats slows

RICHMOND, VA. >> The clamor for the resignation of Virginia’s top two politicians seemed to die down Monday, with some black community leaders forgiving Gov. Ralph Northam over a blackface furor and calling for a fair hearing for Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax on sexual assault allegations against him.

Practically the entire Democratic establishment rose up to demand fellow Democrats Northam and Fairfax immediately step down. But the tone changed markedly after the weekend.

A Democratic state lawmaker who had threatened to begin impeachment proceedings Monday morning against Fairfax, Virginia’s highestranking black politician, set the idea aside after running into resistance.

Also, several black clergy and civic leaders made it clear they are willing to give both Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring a second chance, while urging due process for Fairfax. Herring, like Northam, has admitted putting on blackface in the ’80s.