US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday (local time) that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign in light of the findings of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.
"I think he should resign," he told reporters at the White House.
Biden would not comment on whether Cuomo should be impeached, saying "let's take one thing at a time". He added that he had not spoken with the Governor on Tuesday.
House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also on Tuesday called on Cuomo to resign after the inquiry found he sexually harassed 11 women and created a "climate of fear" in his office.
"Under Attorney General Letitia James, a comprehensive and independent investigation into the allegations against Governor Cuomo has been completed," Pelosi said in a statement.
"As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign."
Cuomo on Tuesday denied the findings of the five-month investigation by the state's attorney general that found he sexually harassed multiple women in violation of US and state law.
"I never touched anyone inappropriately," said Cuomo, a Democrat who has served as governor since 2011. "That is just not who I am and that's not who I have ever been."
The investigation showed that Cuomo, 63, engaged in unwanted groping, kissing and hugging, and made inappropriate comments to a total of 11 women, state Attorney General Letitia James told a news briefing earlier on Tuesday, adding that the governor's office had become a "toxic workplace" that enabled harassment to occur.
"The facts are much different than what has been portrayed," Cuomo said.
The findings, detailed in a scathing 168-page report, could deal a devastating blow to Cuomo's political future and hinder his administration, although the probe was civil in nature and will not directly lead to any criminal charges against him.
"These 11 women were in a hostile and toxic work environment. We should believe women," said James, a Democrat.
"What this investigation revealed was a disturbing pattern of conduct by the governor of the great state of New York," James added.
There was no immediate comment from the governor's office.
Carl Heastie, speaker of the Democratic-controlled New York Assembly who has authorized an impeachment investigation into Cuomo's conduct, in a statement called the report's findings "disturbing" and said they pointed to "someone who is not fit for office".
Reuters
