Things Are Only Getting Worse for Andrew Cuomo.
The New York Governor needs to resign.
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For weeks, concerns over New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the state have only intensified after it was reported that a top aide had been recorded admitting that his administration had concealed the real death numbers coming from nursing homes in order to avoid a federal investigation. As if concealing the death of 15,000 of New York’s most vulnerable and susceptible citizens wasn’t enough, Cuomo has now been accused by former aide Lindsey Boylan of sexual harassment in a detailed account of their interactions. Following Ms. Boylan’s courageous decision to come forward, Charlotte Bennett — a second former aide to the Governor — also decided to speak out, and shared her story of the sexual harassment she was subjected to by the Governor.
In response and in an effort to mitigate some of the damage as his administration awaits an investigation into his conduct, Cuomo released a statement of his own, acknowledging that some of his actions may have been “misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation”.
In other words, he did it.
To make matters worse, his first choice of a formal federal judge to lead the investigation was Barbara Jones, who was appointed by Bill Clinton and once worked with none other than Steve Cohen, Cuomo’s top advisor. Facing even further backlash, the Governor relented, stating that he would grant subpoena power to anyone who was selected by New York’s Attorney General.
It’s time for Cuomo to resign.
While I find solace in the fact that his Presidential ambitions are almost guaranteed to be over, and that his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in nursing homes will haunt him for the rest of his career, the state of New York deserves better. The tens of thousands of people dead as a result of his policies deserve better, and so do the women who had the courage to come forward with their allegations of sexual harassment. Allegations that Cuomo has essentially admitted are true.
All that being said, it’s as incredible as it is sickening how deeply politicized even the issue of sexual harassment has become in the United States. Loyal liberal voters who have spent four years pointing out the allegations of sexual misconduct against Donald Trump seem incredibly hesitant to believe the women who have come forward with their stories about not only Andrew Cuomo, but Joe Biden as well. Of course, those on the right who have relished in pointing out the predatory behavior of democratic lawmakers conveniently ignore the allegations against their beloved leader, Donald Trump.
Any lawmaker who exploits their position of power in order to sexually harass or assault someone has no business in office, and Andrew Cuomo is no different. It’s encouraging to see those among Cuomo’s own party turning on him, and I hope this is a sign that he will face the accountability that he deserves.
