The chairman of the New York Democratic Party said that since many leaders have called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign and he has refused to do so, officials should now “focus” on getting government work accomplished.
“Now that virtually every Democratic elected official has made their views known, and the Governor has made clear that he has no intention of resigning until the results of the independent investigations into the allegations against him have been completed, it is incumbent upon everyone to focus on getting the work of government done,” Jay Jacobs said in a statement released on Monday.
“Over the next two weeks, the state must complete a budget, ramp up its already extensive vaccination program and tend to the many other responsibilities that require the full attention of state government,” he continued.
Jacobs highlighted that the allegations leveled against Cuomo are “serious and disturbing and deserve a full and thorough investigation,” adding that he has “full confidence” in the investigation.
FORMER ALBANY REPORTER IS SEVENTH WOMAN TO ACCUSE ANDREW CUOMO OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Jacobs defended Cuomo earlier this month, criticizing lawmakers who called on him to resign before the investigation was completed.
“You don’t call for an independent investigation, get an independent investigation, and then choose to ignore an independent investigation before it even begins. That just doesn’t make sense,” Jacobs told NY1. “It’s not fair in terms of process. It’s not a good precedent to set for the future. And I don’t think it’s fair to the governor, and it’s certainly not fair to those who make the allegations. You have to be fair to the whole process, so I just urge everyone to be patient.”
Leaders in both political parties across the state and country have called on Cuomo to resign, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, all of whom represent New York.
“Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires sure and steady leadership. We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in a joint statement.
“Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign,” they continued.
A seventh woman came forward last week accusing Cuomo of sexual misconduct. However, the New York Democrat has remained adamant that he won’t resign. He is also facing a nursing home death scandal stemming from the coronavirus.
“I did not do what has been alleged. Period,” Cuomo said in a conference call with reporters on Friday.
“I’m not going to resign,” he added, saying that he was not “elected by the politicians but by the people.”
President Biden addressed the allegations on Sunday but resisted calling on him to resign.
“I think the investigation is underway, and we should see what it brings us,” Biden said.
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Vice President Kamala Harris has remained silent on the matter despite previously voicing support for women who have accused other prominent political figures of misconduct.
Fox News’s Jeanine Pirro slammed Harris over the silence this weekend, calling her “a fraud, a phony, a woman without a moral core, a regular two-faced, mealy-mouthed politician who swings with the wind.”
