Lois Frankel: Congress Needs to Investigate Sexual Misconduct Charges Against Trump

As charges of sexual misconduct continue to impact Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., is calling for the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to investigate accusations made against President Donald Trump. 

 

Frankel and the other leaders of the Democratic Women’s Working Group (DWWG)--U.S. Reps. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan and Jackie Speier of California--rounded up more than 55 of their members to send a letter to the leaders of the committee asking for the investigation. So far more than 15 women have made accusations against Trump who has denied the charges. 

 

The DWWG sent the letter to U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-SC, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Mary., the ranking Democrat on it. 

 

“In the time of ‘Me Too,’ women across the country are coming forward with their own harrowing stories of sexual harassment and assault,” the members of the DWWG wrote Gowdy and Cummings. “Members of Congress have also come under scrutiny and investigation, with some resigning, for improper sexual conduct. We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations against Mr. Trump. With that said, the president should be allowed to present evidence in his own defense.”

 

The leaders of the DWWG explained on Monday why they sent the letter.

 

“The American people deserve a full inquiry into the truth of these allegations,” Frankel said.

 

“Regardless of the victim or alleged perpetrator, every voice deserves to be heard and justice demands transparency, accountability and respect of due process. A thorough investigation into these accusations of sexual misconduct by President Trump is long overdue,” said Lawrence.

 

“While the president’s behavior certainly warrants a call for his resignation, the most important thing we in Congress can do right now is a comprehensive investigation,” said Speier. “What I find most disturbing is the fact that his victims were dismissed out of hand or, even worse, called liars. These women deserve to have us engage in a serious examination of the allegations and facts, as does the American public.”

 

Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to respond to the accusations. 

 

“Despite thousands of hours wasted and many millions of dollars spent, the Democrats have been unable to show any collusion with Russia - so now they are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don’t know and/or have never met,” Trump posted on Twitter. “FAKE NEWS!”

 

Trump also took aim at U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, who has called on Trump to resign due to the accusations. 

 

“Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office ‘begging’ for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump,” Trump posted. “Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!”