New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has always said he is the kind of politician who isn’t afraid to “tangle.” He is now ‘tangling’ with various sexual harassment allegations. With calls for him to resign growing louder every day, it is possible that his days as an elected official may be coming to an end.

If the governor’s poor handling of nursing homes crippled his political reputation, daily sexual harassment allegations leave both his political and personal reputations on life-support, no matter how many times he denies his inappropriate behavior or issues public apologies. 

Trust in Cuomo was already on the wane upon learning of his role in covering up COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. Rightfully so, considering how by actively concealing the devastation of the pandemic in elderly communities, Gov. Cuomo failed to protect one of the most vulnerable populations during this unprecedented health crisis. Because of Cuomo’s blatant failure to protect the elderly, families have to face each day knowing that the same administration that won an Emmy for giving daily coronavirus briefings played an active role in the concealment of their relative’s death. For this act of malfeasance alone, the governor should see his pandemic powers substantially stripped, as no apology from him on this matter carries more weight than any of the unnecessary coffins he created by covering up nursing home deaths.

As we continue to see a growing list of women speak out against the governor with claims of sexual harassment, it is difficult to know what the facts are this early on. Some of the allegations were clear enough for Cuomo to take time after his coronavirus briefing to apologize for his “embarrassing” behavior, and some were as clear as the incriminating photo of him inappropriately touching his aide, Anna Ruch. However, despite Cuomo’s claiming he never groped women, all accusing eyes are on him as allegations continue to climb. As the governor of one of the most gender-inclusive states in the country and a father to three daughters, Cuomo should know better than to behave as he did. Even if he were not in these positions, this behavior is inexcusable.

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ announcement of an independent investigation into Cuomo’s sexual harassment allegations is the best path forward regarding Cuomo’s newest scandal. Amid calls for his resignation over his inept nursing home response, which already factored into rescinding his emergency powers, it is important to separate what Gov. Cuomo is to be held accountable for, as these two scandals are not the same. 

An independent investigation is reliable because there is a smaller chance that personal politics will play into choosing whether or not to oust Cuomo from power. An independent investigation gives New Yorkers the transparency they deserve. However, transparency and the ability to enact punishment are not the same. Unprobed allegations should not be what results in someone having his or her career, livelihood and legacy upended. Cuomo damaged his legacy with the nursing home scandal because the facts of his wrongdoings were evident. However, with growing sexual harassment allegations, there is not enough known yet on the matter to arrive to the monumental decision to call for Cuomo’s resignation. Indeed, such allegations rightfully invoke concern and paint a damning picture of a governor once praised for his contributions to building a safer workspace for women. However, allegations do not always amount to convictions, and they may not with the conclusion of this investigation either.

Gov. Cuomo is correct to not resign yet because he has already faced the brunt of his own incompetence with his nursing home scandal. With his powers restricted, the governor has a chance to learn how his actions, or lack thereof, have lasting consequences for himself, and most importantly, his constituents. However, by being pushed to resign as harshly as he is by prominent Democrats and the too swiftly-shaped public opinion, we as a nation of democracy are contradicting our own democratic principle of being innocent until proven guilty. Cuomo claimed he was unaware of how his actions affected the women he worked with, and such a statement seems incomprehensibly tone deaf considering how he championed legislation designed to protect women in the workforce. Yet, until the claims of the accusers are substantiated through the independent investigation of the New York attorney general, Cuomo needs to be given a chance to learn from his inappropriate behavior. Through measures like sensitivity training — which could help him better govern as a 63-year-old white male — he can become more socially aware of the changing gender climate. However, once the investigation concludes and the accusers’ claims can be corroborated as a result, it should become Cuomo’s moral obligation to resign and allow someone else to take the reins of a state still struggling one year after COVID-19 was declared a national pandemic.

Since 2020, we have all been imprisoned by the crisis of coronavirus and now New York’s governor is imprisoned in the greatest threat to his power. New Yorkers need leadership and accountability from our elected officials. No matter the results of the attorney general’s investigation, one thing is certain: the truth will set us free.

Noah Osborne, FCRH ’23, is a journalism major from Harlem, N.Y.