The Daily

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Not Regretting Al Franken

Aug 20, 2019

Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Senator and former presidential candidate, discusses the fallout from Al Franken's resignation over harassment allegations. She firmly believes the Democratic Party acted correctly in demanding his departure, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the impact of the Me Too movement on politics. Gillibrand tackles the complex dynamics of navigating allegations, urging a focus on believing survivors while critiquing societal biases. The conversation also touches on the responsibility of political figures in addressing such serious issues.

31:33

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Episode guests

Kirsten Gillibrand

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Franken's Fall: A Political Reckoning

10min

The Importance of Energy and the Role of Journalism in Accountability

2min

Navigating Allegations and Accountability

14min

Political Dilemmas and Personal Connections

4min

Consequences of Injustice: The Firing of Officer Pantaleo

2min

Al Franken resigned from the Senate more than 18 months ago over allegations of sexual harassment. New reporting about those allegations has revived the debate over whether the Democratic Party — particularly senators currently seeking the presidency — moved too fast in calling for him to step down. In an interview, one of those senators, Kirsten Gillibrand, says absolutely not.

Guest: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

Ms. Gillibrand’s stance on Mr. Franken’s departure has come up persistently during her struggling presidential campaign.
Our colleague Lisa Lerer interviewed Ms. Gillibrand for the On Politics newsletter.

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