Another U.S. Congressman Announces Resignation

After the House Ethics Committee announced it was investigating allegations regarding the behavior of Trent Franks, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, with two women, Mr. Franks stated on Thursday, December 7, that he would resign from his position at the end of January 2018. Meanwhile, Al Franken, a Democratic senator from Minnesota, also announced on Thursday that he would step down. Seven women have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr. Franken. According to Reuters, Trent Franks, who has been in Congress from Arizona since 2003, expressed deep regret in a statement regarding the investigation into his case by the House Ethics Committee. U.S. media reports indicate that the Ethics Committee announced on Thursday that it would investigate Trent Franks to determine whether he had engaged in sexual harassment of his office staff. However, Trent Franks acknowledged in his statement that discussing surrogacy and belief issues during conversations with two female staff members caused them distress. Nevertheless, this congressman denied any sexual harassment of his office staff. In his statement, Trent Franks emphasized: "Given the current cultural and media environment, I deeply believe that I will not receive a fair investigation by the Ethics Committee, and the fabrications and distorted versions of this story in the public arena will cause suffering to my family, my office staff, and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives." He added: "Before I allow emotional storytelling in the media court to harm everything I love, I informed the Speaker of the House this morning that I will leave this House on January 31, 2018." On the same day, Al Franken also announced in his speech in the U.S. Senate that he would resign. Following allegations of sexual misconduct against Al Franken by seven women, at least 32 Democratic senators called for his resignation on Wednesday. Al Franken stated that although he is stepping down from the Senate, he will not cease his political and social activities as a citizen. Al Franken is among the politicians, artists, and activists who have faced allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against women in recent months. Politico reported on Wednesday that a congressional aide stated that Al Franken attempted to forcibly kiss her in 2006. Al Franken denied these allegations. The former comedian was elected as a senator for Minnesota in 2008. Meanwhile, John Conyers, a Democratic representative from Michigan who has faced sexual harassment allegations, also announced he would resign. In this context, there has been an increase in calls for the resignation of the Democratic senator due to allegations of sexual misconduct. An Islamic studies professor took leave from Oxford University after being accused of "rape." New sexual harassment allegations against Kevin Spacey have emerged. The British defense minister resigned amid a sexual harassment and assault scandal. A wave of allegations of "rape" and "sexual harassment" against a famous Hollywood producer has been reported. Production of "House of Cards" was halted following sexual allegations against Spacey. Time magazine selected "Silence Breakers" as the Person of the Year.