Can Andrew Cuomo still be impeached: What happens now that New York's embattled governor's resigned?

Salon via MSN ^ | 8/10/21 | Igor Derysh

[Libloather]

**SNIP**

The resignation could be an attempt to stave off impeachment by the state Assembly, which vowed to move forward quickly after James' report. But it's unclear if the assembly will now drop its impeachment plans, which would allow Cuomo to run for office again if he chooses. A growing number of Democrats had called for Cuomo to be convicted and barred from running again. Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, a sexual assault survivor, said the chamber should still move forward with impeachment.

Some political observers believe that Cuomo is trying to keep his hopes for a fourth term alive by stepping aside before a possible impeachment.

"I expect in my lifetime, Andrew Cuomo to run for office again," said MSNBC host Chuck Todd. "What that office is? I don't know, but that's what this resignation tells me today. He wants to live to fight another day."

Despite Cuomo's announcement, much of Tuesday's news conference focused on batting back the allegations. The conference began with a presentation from Cuomo's lawyer Rita Glavin, who argued that James' report "contains errors" and "omitted key evidence."

"The report said I sexually harassed 11 women," Cuomo said. "That was the headline people heard and saw. The reaction was outrage. It should have been. However, it was also false."

Cuomo at the news conference apologized to a state trooper who accused him of unwanted touching and to the women he "truly offended" but argued that he did not think he did anything wrong.

"In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone," he said, "but I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn."

Cuomo said the situation was a "highly political matter" with "many agendas," arguing that the allegations were "politically motivated."

[1Old Pro]

He needs a full impeachment hearing regarding all of his crimes.