Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Several U.S. senators now want to see Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) reverse his decision to resign amid multiple groping allegations, Politico reported Monday morning. “Two of the senators who issued resignation calls told Politico they felt rushed to weigh in, as they were focused on hearings and other meetings and pressure on Franken mounted.” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who was among the few Democratic senators to resist ever calling for Franken’s resignation, told Politico that his colleague’s dramatic ouster by party leaders was “The most hypocritical thing I’ve ever seen done to a human being—and then have enough guts to sit on the floor, watch him give his speech and go over and hug him? That’s hypocrisy at the highest level I’ve ever seen in my life. Made me sick.” Additionally, the D.C. outlet reported, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who did call for Franken’s exit, has privately expressed regret to the senator. “In retrospect, I think we acted too fast,” another senator, who wished to remain anonymous, explained to Politico.