New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying the best thing he can do for the state is to “step aside.”
His announcement comes exactly one week after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a 168-page report outlining numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo.
In an executive summary of the report, investigators concluded that “the Governor engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York State law. Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees.”
Additionally, investigators concluded that the Executive Chamber’s culture was “filled with fear and intimidation.”
But speaking on Tuesday just before announcing his resignation, Cuomo again asserted his innocence.
“The report said I sexually harassed 11 women … However, it was also false,” the governor said. “The most serious allegations made against me have no credible factual basis in the report.”
But citing the lengthy legal battle that was sure to ensue over the coming months, Gov. Cuomo said, “I think that given the circumstances, the best way I can help now, is if I step aside and let government get back to governing. And therefore, that’s what I’ll do because I work for you.”
He then added that his resignation will be effective in 14 days, at which point New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take his post. She will become the first female governor of New York in state history.
The governor also used his speech to tout his record as governor, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and raising the state minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Of course, Christians will also remember when Gov. Cuomo lit up the One World Trade Center’s 408-foot spire in pink light in order to celebrate the state’s legalization of abortion up until the moment of birth.
This sparked Focus on the Family’s Alive from New York, which featured a 4D ultrasound live from Times Square.
Since the release of the attorney general’s report last week, Cuomo faced wide-ranging calls for his resignation, including from leaders in his own party.
If the governor had chosen not to resign, he would have faced a prolonged impeachment inquiry that was likely to end his tenure anyway.
For the babies who have been forgotten and forsaken by New York’s permissive abortion laws, one can pray that this is the beginning of a change for The Empire State.
Perhaps you a woman reading this and have suffered sexual harassment and need counseling. Focus on the Family provides free, one-time counseling consultations with a licensed or pastoral counselor. If you would like to request one, you can call 1-855-771-HELP or fill out a Counseling Consultation Request Form here.
Photo from Reuters.
