GOP Rep. Trent Franks Resigning Amid Rumors of Inappropriate Behavior
Another one has gone down.
Roll Call reported this afternoon that Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) was expected to resign from Congress amid rumors of inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct. One Republican source told Roll Call that Franks had scrapped plans to run for the Senate in 2012 due to the rumors and it is likely this is the reason he’s suddenly resigning:
“There’s been rumors swirling around him for years, at least in 2012,” the Republican said. “And if this turns out to be true, there won’t be that many people who are surprised.”
Franks told Roll Call that a statement would be forthcoming.
Following the story breaking, Franks was spotted on the House floor with other Republicans in what appeared to be a prayer circle.
A group of House Rs are on the house floor huddled in what appears to be a prayer circle with Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona. Including Tom graves, mark walker, Robert aderholt, Louie gohmert and Jeff Duncan.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 7, 2017
Of course, this all comes in the wake of Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) announcing his resignation earlier today amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Franken’s announcement came just days after Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) retired following accusations of sexual harassment and abuse.
UPDATE 6:59 PM ET: Franks has released a statement indicating that he will resign on January 31st, 2018. He claims that it is due to an ethics investigation over his asking two female staffers about becoming a surrogate for his child.
BREAKING: Franks has come under investigation for asking two female staffers about becoming a surrogate for his child. Story TK pic.twitter.com/9kczdGhlQ6
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 7, 2017
Minutes after news breaks that @RepTrentFranks is resigning, House Ethics Committee announces it will investigate him to determine if he engaged in “conduct that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment” pic.twitter.com/XiCdltoGFV
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 7, 2017
UPDATE 7:30 PM ET: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan released a statement saying that he has accepted Franks’ resignation.
Speaker Ryan statement on Rep Trent Franks –> pic.twitter.com/RV45gCajaQ
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) December 7, 2017
Watch the report above, via MSNBC.
[image via screengrab]
—
