Biden on Cuomo Resignation Issue: "Will Wait for Prosecutorial Investigation Results for Now"

First Statement at White House Press Conference
Speaker Pelosi: "It's Too Early to Demand Resignation"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his position for the first time regarding the sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, urging caution and stating that we should wait for the results of the prosecutor's investigation. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, also drew a line, saying it is too early to discuss whether he should resign.

According to CNN and other foreign media on the 14th (local time), President Joe Biden, during a press conference held at the White House that day, weighed in on the cautious side when asked by reporters about Governor Cuomo's resignation issue, saying, "Since the prosecutor's investigation is underway, I think we should first see what the results are." Vice President Kamala Harris has not yet expressed her position and is reportedly not confident about the allegations against him.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi also appeared on ABC's current affairs program This Week that day and said regarding Governor Cuomo's resignation issue, "It is not yet time to discuss resignation," emphasizing, "We need to fully listen to the women's testimonies, but the public should first consider how effectively he is working as governor under the current circumstances," warning against rushing to label him a criminal.

However, the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo are becoming increasingly serious. So far, the number of women claiming to have been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted by him has risen to seven. Beyond the New York State Legislature, now members of the U.S. Congress, both Senate and House, are also calling for his resignation, and the Democratic leadership has issued statements urging him to step down, spreading the demand for his resignation even to Washington politics. Earlier, on the 12th, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand jointly stated, "Governor Cuomo has lost the trust of his colleagues and the people of New York," calling for his resignation.

Governor Cuomo was hailed as the best governor in the U.S. for responding to the COVID-19 crisis since March last year, regarded as a COVID-19 hero and even a potential presidential candidate. However, this year, following allegations of deliberately concealing COVID-19 death numbers and, since last month, sexual harassment allegations, he is now facing a political crisis.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.