President Biden is not backing calls for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to step down, the White House said, as the embattled New York governor faces new calls from the state’s Democratic congressional delegation to resign.
More than a dozen New York lawmakers have called for Cuomo to resign, including Reps. Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Asked where Biden stands, press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday said the president is not planning to weigh in.
“We, of course, have watched the news of a number of lawmakers call for [Cuomo’s resignation], but I don’t have any additional announcements from here on this,” she said.
Cuomo, a Democratic ally who was reportedly considered for a high-level role in the administration, is embroiled in separate scandals involving allegations of sexual misconduct and an alleged cover-up over nursing home deaths from COVID-19.
NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBERS CALL FOR CUOMO TO RESIGN
Six women have come forward detailing harassment charges by the governor.
“The president believes that every woman who has come forward … deserves to have her voice heard, should be treated with respect, and should be able to tell her story,” Psaki continued. “There also is an independent investigation that is ongoing in the state with subpoena power overseen by the attorney general, and he certainly supports that moving forward.”
Cuomo is also facing legal scrutiny over his handling of New York’s COVID-19 response, including charges that his office altered the recorded number of deaths in nursing homes.
Asked whether the Democratic president still has faith in Cuomo’s leadership, Psaki suggested the governor’s state could be adversely hurt by his removal.
“We certainly don’t want anyone in the state of New York to be penalized, meaning not have access to vaccines, to vaccinators, not have access to funding from the rescue plan,” she said. “The president and our COVID response team work with governors across the country, including Gov. Cuomo, to implement these plans and will continue to do that.”
The White House has worked closely with Cuomo and his top aide, Melissa DeRosa, since before taking office, when she began advising White House counselor and longtime Biden confidant Steve Ricchetti on a coronavirus response plan.
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More than a dozen New York lawmakers have called for his resignation.
