White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Monday rejected the idea that Congress should investigate claims that President Trump sexually harassed at least three women years ago, and said Trump continues to deny those allegations.
“The president has addressed these accusations directly and denied all of these allegations. And, this took place long before he was elected to be president,” Sanders told reporters at the White House. “And the people of this country, at a decisive election, supported President Trump and we feel like these allegations have been answered through that process.”
Three of Trump’s accusers gave television interviews Monday morning and said they were open to having Congress examine their claims. Sanders was asked directly about the idea of a new congressional probe but only answered generally.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley added Sunday that the president’s accusers “should be heard,” but Sanders said allegations alone should not determine the outcome.
“As the president said himself, he thinks it’s a good thing that women are coming forward, but he also feels strongly that a mere allegation shouldn’t determine the course,” Sanders said when asked about Haley’s assertion.
The White House has encountered renewed scrutiny of accusations against Trump in the weeks since other politicians have endured consequences over their own sexual misconduct scandals. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., announced his resignation last week over a series of harassment allegations, and GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore lost many of his endorsements and party support after women stepped forward last month to accuse him of pursuing inappropriate relationships with them when they were as young as 14.
Sanders argued Trump’s election victory should serve as the public’s verdict on the veracity of allegations against the president.
The press secretary noted that unspecified eyewitnesses have called into question some of the stories told by women who have accused Trump of sexual harassment.
