Ever since the allegations came to light, Cuomo has been facing a lot of pressure from fellow Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to resign.
Andrew Cuomo has resigned.
On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the NY State governor said this is the best thing he can do right now, given the number of allegations against him. According to BBC, he said, "Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside and let the government get back to governing," Cuomo said in remarks from New York City. "Therefore that's what I'll do."
The resignation will happen in 14 days.
Though he's still denied the claims against him, he said he wanted to "deeply, deeply" apologize to the women who may have found his actions offensive. "In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone. but I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn," he said.
He added that his instinct was "to fight through this controversy because I believe it is politically motivated". But he said he was stepping down because the "current trajectory" of the scandal would generate months of distractions and "cost taxpayers millions of dollars."
Ever since the allegations came to light, Cuomo has been facing a lot of pressure from fellow Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to resign. He is the third governor to resign, in a row, due to a scandal.
According to CNN, President Biden said that he completely respects Cuomo's decision to step down. "I respect the governor's decision. I respect the decision he made," Biden said.
When asked about the impact Cuomo's resignation will have on the Democratic party, Biden said, "I think the impact is all on Andrew Cuomo." However, when Biden was asked about Cuomo's role as a Governor, Biden said, "He's done a hell of a job. Both on everything from access to voting to infrastructure, to a whole range of things. That's why it's so sad."
The bombshell report revealed that Cuomo assaulted current and former state employees, including a State Trooper on his protective detail, as well as a number of women outside of state government.
Cuomo then revealed that the allegations have dented his relationship with his daughters. "I have sat on the couch with them, hearing the ugly accusations for weeks. I have seen the look in their eyes, and the expression on their faces. It hurt," he said, adding that he told them he "never did and would never intentionally disrespect a woman."
Now, Cuomo will hand over the reins to his deputy of seven years, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Buffalo native. The 62-year-old has held the largely ceremonial role of lieutenant governor. Though she was not a part of Cuomo's inner circle, he described her as "smart and competent."
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, will replace Andrew Cuomo after his resignation, which was spurred by an investigation that found he had sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. She will become New York's first female governor. https://t.co/jPuX85muFO pic.twitter.com/hyUatyuSlG
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 10, 2021
While stating that Cuomo resigning was the "right thing to do," Hochul said she's ready to take on her new role. "As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State's 57th Governor," she said in a statement.
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58164719
https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/andrew-cuomo-investigation-08-10-21/index.html
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Mary Altaffer-Pool
