DEFIANT

Franken Won’t Resign, Pledges to ‘Regain Trust’ After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

“I’m a warm person, I hug people.”

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) issued another apology on Thursday after two more women accused him of groping them, refusing to heed calls to resign and pledging to regain the trust of his constituents. “I’m a warm person, I hug people,” Franken said in a statement. “I’ve learned from recent stories that in some of those encounters, I crossed the line for some women—and I know that any number is too many.” Four women have come forward accusing the senator of sexual misconduct, including radio host Leeann Tweeden. Two women shared their stories anonymously to HuffPost, while another women, Lindsay Menz, told CNN that Franken groped her while the pair posed for a photo at the Minnesota state fair.