Pressure builds against Franken
Democrats press senator to resign amid accusations
The cascade of opposition opened when Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said “it would be better for our country” if Franken left office. Within minutes, Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Patty Murray of Washington, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Claire McCaskill of Missouri released similar statements.
“Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere. I believe the best thing for Senator Franken to do is step down,” Harris said.
Later Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined in, saying in a statement that Franken should step down immediately.
The choreographed Democratic actions were intended to impose maximum pressure on Franken, who had resisted resignation even as he vowed full cooperation with a Senate ethics committee investigation into a series of allegations against him by women that began last month.
As the calls for his resignation grew, Franken announced that he would make a statement about his future Thursday.
Minnesota Public Radio reported Wednesday that a Democratic official who has spoken to Franken and key aides said Franken will resign his seat Thursday.
A Democratic official with knowledge of Franken’s decision told The Minneapolis Star Tribune that Franken planned to step down Thursday. But a Franken staffer pushed back against that report late Wednesday: “Not accurate. He’s still discussing with his family,” the staffer wrote in a text message to a reporter.
If Franken steps down, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, would appoint a replacement who would serve until next November’s mid-term election.
The developments were the latest to hit a capital reeling from a spate of sexual harassment allegations, an extension of the nationwide repudiation of such actions in corporate suites, media companies and other firms.
Democrats have also wanted to draw a contrast with Republican willingness to stand by Roy Moore, the GOP Senate candidate in Alabama who has been accused of acts that included molesting a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.
Democrats also have long defended more than a dozen women who accused President Donald Trump of sexual improprieties dating back decades, only to have the president cast them as liars.
All those pressures combined to produce a cascade Wednesday as more senators added themselves to the list. By mid-afternoon, well over half the Senate’s Democrats, as well as independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, had called for him to step down. So, too, had Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Franken’s fellow Minnesota Democrat, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, issued a statement Wednesday that implied she favored — and expected — a resignation.
“Sexual harassment is unacceptable,” she said. “This morning I spoke with Senator Franken, and, as you know, he will be making an announcement about his future tomorrow morning. I am confident he will make the right decision.”
The moves against Franken came the day after the spreading scandal claimed the senior member of the House, Democratic Rep. John Conyers, 88, of Michigan, who resigned after former aides accused him of sexual harassment and unwanted advances.
Rep. Ruben Kihuen, a Democrat from Nevada, was trying to fend off demands by the party’s House leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, and others that he depart after a former campaign aide recounted repeated acts of sexual aggression against her during the 2016 campaign. Kihuen apologized for making the aide “uncomfortable,” but said he will not resign.
By contrast, Republican leaders, including Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had asked for Conyers’ resignation, have made no similar demands of Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold, who allegedly harassed an aide who received an $84,000 taxpayer-financed settlement, which was revealed last week. Farenthold told a Texas TV station that he did nothing wrong but would try to repay the money.
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