Sen. Al Franken is probably leaving Washington. Sources close to the now-reviled politician say that he plans to announce his resignation Thursday afternoon.
“This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, as you know, he will be making an announcement about his future tomorrow,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar tweeted Wednesday. “I am confident he will make the right decision.”
Democrats want Franken to go. The party has completely abandoned him; their entire support is behind the women who accuse Franken of groping them. Multiple Democratic women called for his resignation this week.
“While Senator Franken is entitled to have the Ethics Committee conclude its review, I believe it would be better for our country if he sent a clear message that any kind of mistreatment of women in our society isn’t acceptable by stepping aside to let someone else serve,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wrote.
Congress shouldn’t have to concern itself with its members’ bad behavior. The country needs a lot of work, but congressmen are being forced to talk about Franken’s perversions instead. He’s become a distraction.
“Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere” and that “the best thing for Senator Franken to do is step down,” tweeted Sen. Kamala Harris.
It’s obvious that the best thing for Democrats, and perhaps for Franken himself, is for him to remove himself from the public eye. He should have resigned the day that Leann Tweeden, his first accuser, gave her bombshell account of his assault.
I expect that Senator Franken will announce his resignation tomorrow. It is the right thing to do given this series of serious allegations.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) December 6, 2017