US Senator and Representative resign amid scandal

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US Senator Al Franken said on Thursday he will resign in the face of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, becoming the second prominent Democrat forced out in a week over the snowballing harassment allegations convulsing the country.

Later that night, US Representative Trent Franks announced that he will resign after two former staff members complained about discussions he had with them about efforts to find a surrogate mother.

Franks, an Arizona Republican who has served in Congress since 2003, said he recently learned the House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation of the complaints. “I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress,” he said in a statement.

File photo of Trent Franks /AP Photo

Calling out Trump and Moore

Franken, who did not apologize during his speech, also called out President Donald Trump, who was repeatedly accused of sexual assault during his presidential campaign, and Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who is running for the Senate despite being accused of molesting teenagers.

"I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact I am leaving while a man who bragged on tape about his history of the sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party," Franken said.

Facing a groundswell of demands to resign from within his own party ranks, Franken acknowledged his position had become untenable, but also insisted he remained a "champion" of women and that some of the accusations against him "are simply not true."

"I know in my heart that nothing I have done as a senator – nothing – has brought dishonor on this institution," he said. "Nevertheless, today I am announcing that in the coming weeks, I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate."

US Senator Al Franken departs the Capitol with his wife Franni after announcing his resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct, Dec. 7, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The once-popular lawmaker, who made his name on the popular late-night show "Saturday Night Live," last month acknowledged and apologized for one incident of sexual misconduct, vowing to work to regain public trust.

The allegation, dating back to 2006, was made by sports broadcaster and former model Leeann Tweeden, who said Franken forcibly kissed her, and touched her through a flak jacket as she slept, during a tour entertaining US troops deployed in Afghanistan.

But with six other women since reportedly coming forward to accuse Franken of touching them inappropriately, Democrats told him it was time to go.

Franken's resignation came just two days after Democrat John Conyers, the longest-serving member of Congress, left the House of Representatives after several former staffers accused him of sexual misconduct.

And it follows a torrent of accusations of harassment that have felled powerful figures in the worlds of entertainment, the media and politics, triggered by the claims targeting movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters