Embattled New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday under the threat of impeachment, following a report by NY Attorney General concluding he sexually harassed at least 11 women.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign
In a press conference on Tuesday, Andrew Cuomo announced he will be resigning as governor of New York and will take effect in fourteen days, the New York Post reported.
Last week, a report from an independent panel established by New York’s Attorney General found that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, The Post reported.
“I think that given the circumstances, the best way that I can help now is if I step aside and let the government back to governing,” Cuomo said on Tuesday. “And therefore that is what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing, is doing the right thing for you.”
“Government operations and wasting energy on distraction is the last thing government should be,” Cuomo continued. “I cannot be the cause.”
New York to have its first female governor
Cuomo said that Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will assume office when he steps down in 14 days. She will become New York’s first female governor and continue in office throughout the remainder of Cuomo’s term, NBC reported.
Cuomo denies harassment allegations
During the press conference from his Manhattan office on Tuesday, and prior to announcing his resignation, Cuomo reiterated that he denies the sexual harassment allegations made against him. Cuomo alleged that both the media and social media had weaponized the Attorney General’s report, saying that it did not allow for a fair hearing. He went on to say that the allegations were a “distraction,” but, regardless, he needed to resign his office, The Daily Wire reported.
“I want them [my three daughters] to know from the bottom of my heart that I never did and I never would intentionally disrespect a woman, treat any woman differently than I would want them treated and that is the God’s honest truth,” Cuomo said. “Your dad made mistakes. And he apologized, and he learned from it and that’s what life is all about.”
Top Democrats pressured Cuomo to resign
Cuomo’s resignation comes after a number of prominent local Democrats called for him to leave office, as well as other top Democrats including the president and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs. After the AG’s finding, a majority of state assembly members favored impeaching the governor.
Among those who were pressuring Cuomo to resign were Mayor Bill de Blasio, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), and Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams.
“I think he should resign,” President Joe Biden said, shortly after the Attorney General’s probe results were released.
