Cuomo news: Governor’s aide denies staff abandoning posts, as pressure mounts for resignation

Blanket-wrapped Cuomo sparks social media flurry amid calls to resign

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has sparked a flurry of derisive reactions on social media after being photographed wrapped in a blanket amid a politically disastrous week, writes Louise Hall.

A number of high-profile Democrats have joined calls for Mr Cuomo to resign this week following a slew of sexual harassment allegations as state legislators move forward with plans to impeach.

Mr Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing and has refused calls to resign.

Cuomo has no safety net of 'good will', says adviser

An ocassional adviser to Governor Andrew Cuomo for nearly 40 years told Axios that the politician has "no net of good will" to catch him amid the accusations of sexual harassment and bullying.

Politicians can form relationships with others to assist them in moments of scandal, such as what currently surrounds Mr Cuomo. But the governor has the reputation of being a hardball, which sometimes involved him issuing over-the-top threats against those who have crossed him.

This has led him to having no "good will" safety net among New York Democrats and others, according to the adviser.

Now Mr Cuomo finds himself embroiled in scandal as more and more Democrats turn against him, including Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Biden and Harris remain silent amid other Democrats turning on Cuomo

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have remained silent about the accusations that currently surround one of the most prominent governors in the United States, even as more Democrats turn against Andrew Cuomo.

More than 30 women have spoken out against Mr Cuomo in recent weeks, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, bullying, and racism. Mr Cuomo has denied all allegations.

Mr Biden has been a longtime friend of the governor and his father, Mario Cuomo, who also served as New York's governor.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke about this friendship on Friday morning when asked about the controversy, defending Mr Biden's lack of response to the growing calls for the governor to resign.

But Mr Biden has said he supports the seven women who accuse Mr Cuomo of sexual harassment, and added that he would support an investigation from New York's attorney general.

"The president has known him a long time but that doesn't matter in this scenario,"Ms Psaki said on Good Morning America.

"I would say the president, VP, we all believe that every one of these women coming forward should be treated with respect, should have her voice heard," she added.

"It's hard for me as a woman to read a lot of these stories and sometimes we wake up and there's a new one, but we believe there in an independent investigation that's ongoing, led by the attorney general with subpoena power and we certainly support that moving forward."

On Friday, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand joined the calls from New York Democrats for Mr Cuomo to resign. Whether Mr Biden and Ms Harris would join those calls remains unknown.

Cuomo boasts about New York National Guard in latest tweet

Governor Andrew Cuomo has continued business as usual from his Twitter account amid the accusations he currently faces.

In his latest tweet, Mr Cuomo revealed that all New York National Guard members who were deployed to the US Capitol amid the January riots have since returned.

Here is the list of Democrats currently calling for Cuomo’s resignation

More and more people have spoken out against Andrew Cuomo amid 30 women accusing the governor of sexual harassment, assault, bullying and racism, including members of the Democratic Party.

Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand were the lastest to speak out against the governor. Given their power within the US Senate, their condemnation was a serious hit for Mr Cuomo as he continues to refuse to resign.

“We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Mr Schumer and Ms Gillibrand said in a joint statement. “Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign.” Additionally, 16 members of the US House who represent New York have also spoken out against Mr Cuomo, including Representatives Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Several state members of the Democractic Party in New York have also turned against the governor, with the New York State Assembly opening up an impeachment inquiry into his behaviour.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, would be leading an independent investigation into the sexual harassment claims against Mr Cuomo.

Cuomo aide denies staff are abandoning their posts as pressure mounts for governor to resign

A senior adviser to the governor has said that reports claiming that staffers are abandoning work amid scandals concerning Andrew Cuomo are "greatly exaggerated."

The New York Post reported on Saturday that disillusioned staffers are abandoning their posts amid allegations of sexual harassment targeted at Mr Cuomo, but in a statement to The Independent, Richard Azzopardi, a senior advisor to the governor, refuted this.

"There's a budget to be done in two weeks, the largest vaccination effort in state history to stand up and the continued efforts to successfully fight this once in a century pandemic and that's what the hard-working members of this administration and the state workforce are focused on – period," he said.

Full report here.

How could a Cuomo impeachment play out?

New York lawmakers have opened up an impeachment trial into Governor Andrew Cuomo and the allegations of sexual harassment against him, a first step in potentially removing him from office.

Next up will be an indepednent investigation into Mr Cuomo and his administration, which would be led by Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat. Pending the results of that investigation, New York lawmakers could go through an impeachment process to potentially remove Mr Cuomo.

The governor has indicated that he will “fully corporate” with an investigation, but has denied all accusations against him.

If Mr Cuomo was impeached by the state Assembly, he could be removed immediately from office depending on the circumstances.

The governor could also choose to remove himself by resigning.

Here are details into what the impeachment process could look like.