Al Franken Resigns, Makes Reference to Trump's Behavior

Confirms what sources had been saying since Wednesday
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 7, 2017 11:14 AM CST
Al Franken Resigns, Makes Reference to Trump's Behavior
In this Sept. 20, 2017, file photo, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Al Franken did what sources had been saying he would since Wednesday: resign his seat in the wake of mounting sexual misconduct allegations. "Serving in the United States Senate has been the great honor of my life," Franken said. "I know in my heart that nothing I have done as a senator, nothing, has brought dishonor on this institution, and I am confident that the ethics committee would agree."

Still, "in the coming weeks, I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate," he said, explaining that he doesn't feel he could carry out his duties while dealing with the ethics investigation. He did take one swing, per the New York Times: "I of all people am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party." (More Al Franken stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X