After detailed allegations of sexual harassment of several women, US President Joe Biden has called on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign.
"I think he should resign," said Democrat Biden on Tuesday in the White House of his New York party friend.
It is very unusual for the US president to ask a legally elected governor to resign - especially if he belongs to the same party. However, Biden had already expressed himself very critical of the allegations against Cuomo in an interview in March. When asked whether Cuomo should resign if the investigation should confirm the allegations, Biden said at the time: "Yes." Women need "a lot of courage" to make such allegations public, Biden said. They should therefore be taken very seriously and the allegations carefully investigated, Biden said at the time.
Earlier on Tuesday, an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James came to the conclusion that Cuomo allegedly molested several women.
Among other things, there were unwanted touches, kisses, hugs and inappropriate comments.
In addition, Cuomo created a “hostile working atmosphere” and a “climate of fear” for women.
Cuomo immediately denied the allegations.
"I want you to hear directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or approached anyone inappropriately," said Cuomo.
"That just does not correspond to who I am, or who I ever was." Cuomo did not address a possible resignation.
After the results of the investigation were published, the Democratic majority leader in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, also called on Cuomo to resign. "The people of New York deserve better leadership," said Schumer, along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Both represent New York State in the Senate. Several Democrats in the House of Representatives in the US capital Washington, as well as the chairwoman of the House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, called for Cuomo's resignation. She said, "In recognition of his love for New York and the respect he has for his office, I urge the governor to resign." Calls for impeachment against Cuomo increased in New York State.