At a press conference this afternoon, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) joined fellow members of the Democratic Women’s Working Group calling on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for an official investigation into 17 sexual misconduct claims against President Trump.
Pingree was one of 59 members to sign a letter to the Committee making a formal request for an investigation.
This morning, Pingree also responded to Trump’s Twitter attacks on the women who have accused him of sexual harassment.
TEXT OF THE LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE:
Dear Chairman Gowdy and Ranking Member Cummings,
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and may at “any time” investigate “any matter” as set forth in House Rule X. In that regard, as Members of the Democratic Women’s Working Group, we are requesting that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform investigate the reports of sexual misconduct raised against President Trump, many of which he has denied. The American people deserve a full inquiry into the truth of these allegations.
At least 17 women have publicly accused the President of sexual misconduct. Natasha Stoynoff recounted how the President pushed her against a wall and forced his tongue down her throat. Jill Harth described how the President attempted to get up her dress. Kristin Anderson detailed how the President touched her genitals through her underwear. Mariah Billado, Rachel Crooks, Tasha Dixon, Jessica Drake, Cathy Heller, Samantha Holvey, Ninni Laaksonen, Jessica Leeds, Temple Taggart McDowell, Mindy McGillivray, Cassandra Searles, Bridget Sullivan, Karena Virginia, and Summer Zervos also offered alarming accounts.
The President’s own remarks appear to back up the allegations. The President has boasted in public and in crude terms that he feels at liberty to perpetrate such conduct against women. Subsequently, Mr. Trump apologized and called it “locker room talk.” He has since called all his accusers liars.
In the time of “Me Too,” women across the country are coming forward with their own harrowing stories of sexual harassment and assault. Members of Congress have also come under scrutiny and investigation, with some resigning, for improper sexual conduct. We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations against Mr. Trump. With that said, the President should be allowed to present evidence in his own defense.
Please respond with a decision within 10 days so that the Democratic Women’s Working Group can proceed accordingly. We await your prompt response.
