House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) defended Rep. John Conyers (D., Mich.) on Sunday against punishment from the sexual harassment allegations against him and settlements Congress has been forced to make because of his alleged conduct.
Meet the Press host Chuck Todd asked Pelosi to define "zero tolerance" after the allegations of sexual harassment in Congress.
"We are strengthened by due process. Just because someone is accused and was it one accusation, is it two?" Pelosi said. "John Conyers is an icon in our country. He has done a great deal to protect women, the Violence Against Women Act, which the right-wing is now quoting me as praising him for his work on that and he did great work on that."
Todd pressed Pelosi how she didn't know about the allegations against Conyers.
"But the fact is as John reviews his case, which he knows, which I don't, I believe he will do-" Pelosi said.
"Why don't you? How is it that you don't?" Todd asked.
"Excuse me, may I finish my sentence? That he will to the right thing," Pelosi said.
Pelosi also wouldn't say that she would believe the women who have accused Conyers of misconduct.
"Do you believe the accusers?" Todd asked.
"Excuse me?" Pelosi said.
"Do you believe John Conyers' accusers?" Todd asked.
"I don't know who they are? Do you?" Pelosi said. "They have not really come forward."
One of Conyers' accusers did receive a settlement that was paid with taxpayer funds by Conyers' office.