In what marks a significant break from the Trump administration, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says that women accusing President Trump of sexual assault and harassment deserve to have their voices heard, NBC News is reporting.
Speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation, Haley challenged the White House’s official narrative that says Trump’s accusers are lying.
“I know that he was elected,” Haley said, “But, you know, women should always feel comfortable coming forward. And we should all be willing to listen to them.”
According to Haley, all of Trump’s accusers should be able to have all their allegations addressed.
“They should be heard, and they should be dealt with,” she said. “And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.”
Nikki Haley says that women who accuse anyone of sexual misconduct deserve to be heard, including those accusing Trump. pic.twitter.com/qMs9fbg65V
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 10, 2017
A total of 19 women have accused Trump of either sexual assault or harassment. The Washington Post is reporting that three senators, Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have now called on Trump to resign.
“Here you have a president who has been accused by many women of assault, who says on a tape that he assaulted women,” Sanders told NBC’s Meet the Press. “He might want to think about doing the same.”
“The president should resign because he certainly has a track record with more than 17 women of horrific conduct,” Merkley said last week.
Haley, who is the former governor of South Carolina, expressed support for the #MeToo movement and said it’s time for all Americans to embrace the new culture of accountability.
“I think it will start to bring a conscience to the situation, not just in politics, but in, you know, we’ve seen in Hollywood and in every industry,” she said. “And I think the time has come.”
Featured image via screen grab (YouTube)
