Collins: Franken allegations ‘credible, disgusting and appalling’
The allegations against Sen. Al Franken are “credible, disgusting and appalling and degrading to women,” Sen. Susan Collins said Sunday.
Franken (D-Minn.) apologized last week after radio anchor Leeann Tweeden published a first-person account alleging that the former comedian had groped and kissed her without her consent during a 2006 trip overseas. Tweeden’s account included an image of Franken appearing to grope her breasts.
Franken released two statements in response to the allegations, including an apology in a lengthy second statement posted to Facebook.
Collins (R-Maine) told ABC’s “This Week” that she believes the allegations, noting that Franken “has essentially admitted to them.”
“I did find the allegations against him to be both credible, disgusting and appalling and degrading to women,” she told host George Stephanopoulos.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called for an ethics probe into Franken, who has pledged to cooperate.
Asked Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” whether Franken should resign, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said it’s up to “Franken and the people of the state of Minnesota.”
“My understanding is that Al is a very popular senator,” Sanders said. “People in Minnesota think that he is doing a good job. And his political future will rest with the people of Minnesota.”
Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that beleaguered Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, a Republican who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct with teenagers from decades ago when he was in his 30s, should “do the right thing” and step aside.
“For that matter,” she added, “Al Franken can go hit the door with him.”