A spokesperson for Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.) said Saturday that the embattled lawmaker will not resign after admitting to a past act of sexual misconduct.
Leeann Tweeden, who now works as a radio news anchor in Los Angeles, wrote an article Thursday stating Franken aggressively kissed her without permission while they rehearsed for a USO skit in 2006. Her piece also included a photo of Franken with his hands over her breasts while she slept.
Franken apologized—while adding he remembered the rehearsal portion differently—and senators on both sides of the aisle have condemned his actions and called for an ethics investigation. Tweeden said she was still angry over Franken's actions but accepted his apology and said she didn't feel Franken should resign.
I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story. #MeToohttps://t.co/TqTgfvzkZg
— Leeann Tweeden (@LeeannTweeden) November 16, 2017
The Star-Tribune, Minnesota's largest newspaper, reported it reached out to a Franken staffer to see if he would resign, and the staffer said no:
Asked Saturday whether Franken would resign, a spokesperson for the senator responded: "No."
"He is spending time with his family in Washington, D.C., and will be through the Thanksgiving holiday," the staffer said by text, "and he’s doing a lot of reflecting."
Franken is one of the leading opponents in Congress of President Donald Trump's administration, and his actions have stirred a debate among progressives over whether someone of his stature and influence should step down.