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Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic presidential candidate of 2020 faced with a constant review of his role by calling for resignation of former US Senator Al Franken after he was charged with sexual misconduct.
But Gillibrand said that she has no regrets in a new interview with the New York Times' "The Daily" podcast, which revisits Franken's controversy in 2017 and reopens the debate over whether he was treated unfairly.
Recalling his decision to call for Franken's resignationGillibrand said, "As each allegation grew, it raised more and more concern in my mind."
"I could not defend him. I could not carry her water, and my silence was doing just that, "she added." So I got to the point where I wanted to make it very clear that I did not think it was acceptable and that I felt that he really had to resign. "
Gillibrand was not alone calling for Franken's resignation after eight women accused him of inappropriate behavior including forced kisses and their groping without their consent. Several Democratic senators have followed suit, including other contenders for 2020, such as Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.
However, Gillibrand's gesture was widely seen as the starting point for Franken's calls for resignation, which earned him the disdain of some members of the Democratic Party's donor class. The New York Senator has often been asked to defend his decision While participating in the 2020 Democratic primaries, she struggled to break through and continues to vote at a single digit.
A recent profile of Franken in the New Yorker has revived the issue by recalling the present moment from the perspective of the former senator. In this long narrative, Franken made holes in the narrative of his first and principal accuser, television host Leeann Tweeden, and stated that he "absolutely" regretted his decision to resign from the Senate.
Gillibrand pushed back efforts to downplay the charges, saying, "I think separating an allegation is really detrimental. I think it hurts the greatest moment in which we are. "
She went on to state that Franken was entitled to "any measure of investigation that he wished" and that it was ultimately his own decision to withdraw.
"What he's not entitled to – and I want to be clear on this – is my silence," Gillibrand said. "It is not right for the Democratic Party to be in its corner."
Gillibrand, who has spent a large part of her career fighting sexual assault, however, suggested that forgiveness could be offered "to anyone who wishes":
It's just about having the humility and grace to take responsibility, to know that you have to say that you're sorry and go from there. "
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