What Zephyr Teachout Gets Wrong About Al Franken

I was extremely disappointed today to see Zephyr Teachout’s opinion piece in the New York Times defending Al Franken and arguing that Franken should not resign and was denied due process. I watched Ms. Teachout’s rise in the New York congressional race last year, which she lost to a Republican challenger by nine percentage points. She has written extensively, and well, on corruption in the American financial system. But I was confused by her interpretation of due process and what it means for those accused ― and those who have confessed ― to sexual harassment and assault.

I think few people would disagree with Ms. Teachout that due process is a key component of the judicial process. There are, and should be, protections for those accused of any crime. I also agree with her position that the mechanisms for reporting sexual misconduct in Congress are severely flawed, and add unnecessary obstacles to those trying to file reports. These procedures should be changed, not for the benefit of the accused, who already has access to mandatory “cooling off periods”, as if enough time will lessen the devastating impacts of sexual harassment, but for the accusers. We are both in agreement that there are fairer, more conscientious ways of tackling these pervasive issues.

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