New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigns
Cuomo's resignation will be effective in 14 days.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo just announced his resignation on Tuesday. It will be effective in 14 days.
Cuomo said his fight through this controversy was politically motivated.
“This is about politics and our political system today is too often driven by extremes,” Cuomo says
He also said the current path of this situation would create months of problems and cost taxpayers millions.
“Wasting energy on distraction is the last thing government should do”, Cuomo says.
Current New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will be taking office on Aug. 24.
Hochul will make history as the first female governor in New York as she succeeds Cuomo.
“I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers,” Hochul says in a tweet. “As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.”
I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.
As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.
— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) August 10, 2021
In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, White House Secretary Jenn Psaki said President Biden wasn’t aware Cuomo had made the decision to resign. Biden had not spoken to Cuomo since a 168-page attorney general report that found Cuomo sexually harrassed 11 women was released on Aug. 3, 2020.
Psaki says Biden currently has no plans to reach out to Cuomo.
“Make no mistake, this is the result of survivors bravely telling their stories. It was past time for Andrew Cuomo to resign and it’s for the good of all New York,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted about Cuomo’s resignation.
In a series of tweets, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said Cuomo’s resignation closes a sad chapter for the state.
I thank Governor Cuomo for his contributions to our state.
The ascension of our Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, will help New York enter a new day.
We must continue to build on the progress already made and improve the lives of New Yorkers in every corner of the state.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) August 10, 2021
Attorney General James also says she looks forward to working with Lieutenant Gov. Hochul as she takes office.
Back in February Cuomo asked AG James to launch the probe that was released on August 3, 2020.
The day the AG James released the 168-page report, President Joe Biden said he believed Cuomo should resign.
On August 6, 2020, Albany County Sherrif’s said one of Cuomo’s former aide’s who accused him of groping her breast at his state residence filed a criminal complaint against him.
On Sunday Cuomo’s top aide, Melissa DeRosa, resigned following the release of the report. DeRosa had been in Cuomo’s administration since 2013.
READ THE FULL 168-PAGE REPORT:
