Embattled but defiant, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vowed Monday there was “no way” he would resign over allegations of sexual harassment even after high-profile fellow Democrats urged him to step down, The Hill reported.
Cuomo insisted during the press conference that Democrat Attorney General Letitia James' investigation, which he's agreed to cooperate with, should proceed to allow for “due process and then we'll have the facts.”
Cuomo has largely denied the allegations from at least five women, though he's apologized for interactions that he says weren't perceived as he'd intended. He cited several prominent politicians who've said a decision on Cuomo's future should wait until the attorney general's probe has established the facts.
"That's democracy," Cuomo said. "So no, there is no way I resign."
Pressure has been mounting on Cuomo to resign, ratcheting up Sunday as New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, became the highest-profile official in the state to call on him to quit.
"We need to govern without daily distraction," she said. "For the good of the state Gov. Cuomo must resign."
Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris backed up Stewart-Cousins, saying “I stand with you in calling for Governor Cuomo to resign so we can move our state forward.”
At least 37 lawmakers from either the New York Assembly or state Senate want Cuomo to step down, and 10 have called for his impeachment, according to Fox News.
Cuomo on Sunday said he was "not going to resign because of allegations," adding "I was elected by the people of the state. I wasn't elected by politicians," The Hill reported.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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