New York's Cuomo resigns in response to party pressure

Significance

National and state leaders of his Democratic Party had been pressing Cuomo to resign since last week’s publication of a report from State Attorney-General Letitia James detailing his sexual harassment of eleven women, including state employees. Cuomo’s impeachment by the state legislature was looking all but certain by the time he resigned.

Impacts

• Prosecutors in five New York State counties will continue to pursue separate criminal investigations despite Cuomo’s resignation.
• The State Assembly may complete the impeachment process, despite Cuomo’s resignation, in order to prevent him from running again.
• Cuomo will continue to talk up his liberal polices, his opposition to Donald Trump, and his leadership during the pandemic.