President Biden said on Sunday that the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) was underway and that the the public should wait for the outcome.
Reporters asked Biden whether he thinks Cuomo should resign while the president was exiting Marine One after a weekend trip to Delaware. The governor has faced mounting calls from prominent New York Democrats to step down since six women have leveled sexual misconduct allegations against him.
“I think the investigation is underway and we should see what it brings us,” Biden responded.
The president and Vice President Harris have up to this point stayed mum on the subject of the harassment accusations.
Last month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told CNN’s “State of the Union” that Cuomo should undergo an “independent review” after two former aides accused him of sexual harassment. Since then, several more women have come forward alleging the governor participated in sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior.
Biden’s remarks reflect Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) on ABC’s “This Week,” which also stopped short of calling for the New York governor’s resignation.
“The governor should look inside his heart — he loves New York — to see if he can govern effectively,” Pelosi said Sunday. “And that could be one of the considerations that he has.”
On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) requested that Cuomo resign in a joint statement after rising pressure, including from accuser Lindsey Boylan, the first to come forward.
“We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” the senators said. “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.”