It’s time for Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York to resign. Governor Cuomo is a bully; Governor Cuomo is a predator; and Governor Cuomo is unfit to serve the people of New York State. With new scandals daily—and members of his own party calling for his resignation—it’s high time for Governor Cuomo to step down.
Cuomo was first elected governor of New York in 2010; he was reelected in 2014 and 2018. He is currently running for reelection in 2022. The Cuomo family has had a long history in New York politics. Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, served an influential three terms as the state’s governor. Chris Cuomo, brother to Andrew Cuomo, hosts a prime time television show on CNN.
Like many New York politicians, Cuomo has faced controversies and scandals throughout his long political career. While corruption charges and fraud couldn’t stop Cuomo’s rise to power, his recent scandals may see the slow unravelling of the Cuomo dynasty.
Cuomo’s first bombshell scandal dropped when news broke that he intentionally undercounted COVID-19 pandemic deaths. New York—home to the ever growing New York City—was hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Throughout most of 2020, New York state endured many stringent lockdowns and quarantines. By March 2020, Governor Cuomo announced the official reopening of New York State along with various health and safety guidelines. Among these guidelines was a provision stating that nurses at long term care facilities must test negative before entering their place of work.
May 10, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced—contrary to his Heath Secretary’s advice—removal of this provision along with many other regulations. By June 2020, a reported 6,000 nursing home residents had died to COVID-19 in New York State. An investigation conducted by New York attorney general Letitia James concluded that Cuomo’s administration undercounted nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent. Days after the news broke, several state officials publicly called for Cuomo’s resignation.
In late December 2020, the first of many sexual harassment allegations were made public by former Cuomo staffers. This scandal now involves 10 women who have alleged Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them. The allegations, which range from creepy to downright assault, have all been denied or downplayed by the governor. In early March, both of New York’s Democratic senators publicly called for Cuomo’s resignation. Days later, Cuomo stated, “I’m not going to resign.”
Cuomo’s rhetoric has also been the subject of controversy: at times, the New York Democrat seems to echo the rhetorical pattern of former President Donald Trump. Cuomo frequently scolds reporters and political rivals with hash and demeaning language. When seeking the endorsement of the New York Working Families Party, Cuomo said to the party leader, “If you ever say, ‘Well he’s better than a Republican’ again, then I’m gonna say, ‘You’re better than a child rapist.’ How about that?” It’s comments like this that further paint Cuomo as a powerful bully—because he is one.
As someone with New York heritage, I find Governor Cuomo’s behavior inexcusable. He should apologize, resign, and be criminally investigated for his tyrannical and unethical behavior as Governor. Cuomo’s actions undoubtedly led to the death of thousands of New Yorker’s, and his inappropriate behavior with women undoubtedly hurt those women for the rest of their lives. Cuomo is an embarrassment to New York, our country, and anybody with a conscience. Cuomo has got to go!