Al Franken will be trying to regain the trust of the American people, after facing a growing number of sexual misconduct allegations.
Franken, the Democratic senator from Minnesota, has been accused of forcing a kiss on a fellow comedian during rehersals for a show, and inappropriately placing his hands during pictures with women.
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Franken hasn’t denied the events happened, but does say he doesn’t remember them. He has agreed to any investigation into sexual misconduct that the Senate might pursue, though some collegues across the aisle have called for his resignation.
In a message released on Thanksgiving, Franken promised to regain the trust of his constituents, arguably dispelling rumors of his resignations. A spokesman for the senator told the Star Tribune Thursday he had no intentions of stepping down.
“I’ve met tens of thousands of people and taken thousands of photographs, often in crowded and chaotic situations. I’m a warm person; I hug people,” Franken explained in a statement, shared by Minnesota journalist Brian Bakst.
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“I’ve learned from recent stories that in some of those encounters, I crossed a line for some women – and I know that any number is too many …
“I feel terribly that I’ve made some women feel badly and for that I am so sorry, and I want to make sure that never happens again. And let me say again to Minnesotans that I’m sorry for putting them through this and I’m committed to regaining their trust.”
Franken’s first instance of sexual misconduct came from radio host Leeann Tweeden who said Franken “kissed and groped her without her consent” during a USO tour from before he was a senator. She also released a photo of Franken grabbing her breasts while she was sleeping.
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Since then, three other women (Lindsay Menz, and two anonymous women) have come forward to say Franken groped them during a photo op. One of the women said Franken suggested they go to the bathroom together. Franken has disputed propositioning anyone to join him in the bathroom, the Huffington Post reports.