As allegations pile up, U.S. Sen. Al Franken is urged to resign

Following several allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct, more than 25 Democratic senators, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin called on Al Franken to step aside from his duties as a senator.

Franken came under fire in recent weeks after Leeann Tweeden, a prominent radio news anchor and Army veteran, accused Franken of cupping her breast during a photo op in 2003.

Following Tweeden’s statement, several additional women have come forward accusing the Minnesota Democrat of nonconsensual sexual advances.

Franken squeezed two women’s buttocks at political events during his first campaign run, the women alleged. The fourth woman to come forward said Franken forcibly kissed her during an interview in 2006, two years before he first took office.

Franken has attempted to disputed some of these allegations, but has since apologized, and called for an Ethics Committee investigation regarding his own actions. However, as more accusations surfaced, the calls for resignation have become louder.

Baldwin, who received a $20,000 donation from Franken’s political action committee, has since donated the money to a Women Veterans Initiative — a Minnesota organization to help improve the lives of women who served in the military.

She called on Franken to resign earlier Wednesday.

I believe it is best for Senator Franken to resign.

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) December 6, 2017

Franken is expected to make an official announcement about his future in the Senate Thursday.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable. This morning I spoke with Senator Franken and, as you know, he will be making an announcement about his future tomorrow morning. I am confident he will make the right decision.

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 6, 2017