Where’s the Outcry from the Democrats when #MeToo Hits Home?

Since the news broke that Chris Cuomo not only played an intimate role in helping his brother answer to sexual misconduct allegations, but also faces an accusation of sexual misconduct himself, I have been revisiting my feelings of anger and frustration regarding why the Democrats have lacked sufficient outcry when a #MeToo incident befalls someone in their political sphere. I remember watching former Governor Andrew Cuomo bluster his way through his sexual misconduct investigation and the gut-punch of realizing that this person was supposedly in my camp; he is a Democrat.

When Andrew Cuomo finally stepped down after multiple allegations of sexual harrassment and gross abuse of power, I was relieved but disappointed that the Democratic party did not called for him to step down. The party put politics above dignity and justice when it came to reports of sexual harassment and abuse, proving there has yet to be a #MeToo reckoning in politics as there has been in Hollywood.

Certainly, Andrew Cuomo alone is responsible for the alleged actions that have brought him disgrace, but his own political party seems uninterested in exploring, let alone owning, any accountability it might have. It is evident that the Democrats are unwilling to sacrifice those accused of such actions if they think they may politically benefit the party.

Let me be clear: the Democrats aren’t the only political actors in the wrong. This pervasive lack of accountability spreads across the entire spectrum of American politics. But what is particularly troubling about the Democratic party’s lack of accountability is that it makes them hypocrites when compared to the rhetoric they employ about themselves as defenders of social equality and justice. When the time comes to live up to that rhetoric, to serve as an example of social change, that change has been slow, inconsistent, or at times, altogether absent.

One may point to the Democrats' unwavering support of Christine Blasey Ford and fervent protest of Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation on the basis of Ford's sexual assault accusation as an example of supporting people’s voices against misconduct. But this type of widespread party vocalization, at that scale, had not been seen before and has not been seen since.

While Democrats eventually condemned Cuomo publicly, they only did so when the evidence against him became too great to dispute. Such condemnation stems from political motivations not a genuine belief in doing what’s right. What’s more, Democrats haven’t presented Andrew Cuomo as an example of a systemic problem, but instead, only some Democrats have come forward, and vocally condemned Cuomo for his actions.

If Democrats want to genuinely lead the charge to accelerate American politics' #MeToo reckoning, three things must occur.

First, Democrats, as a united party, must show an unwavering belief in survivors who take incalculable risks to share their stories. Democrats must consistently and publicly denounce sexual misconduct, both in the political sphere and outside it when it happens. Whether the accused is a Democrat or Republican, the Democrats must hold each individual accountable, even if it threatens the party’s power or influence.

Second, Democrats must cease current support of candidates and elected officials with allegations of sexual misconduct, and refrain from supporting such candidates in the future. The 2020 election represented the first presidential campaign and election to occur after the #MeToo reckoning. Upon witnessing the effect of the movement on other industries, one would have assumed that the political candidates would have been held responsible for their actions as well. However, with numerous scandalous accusations against Donald J. Trump and milder allegations against Joe Biden, neither candidate seemed to lose too many voters because of this behavior.

Finally, Congress must create a January 6th-style commission to investigate sexual misconduct in the political sphere. This commission should study politics’ various cases of sexual misconduct and the mishandling of such cases over the years.

While I call upon my own party to initiate change, ultimately, our goal, as a society, should not be to compare degrees of misconduct and responses but to seek the end of all misconduct. There is an urgent need for political change when it comes to holding perpetrators accountable for sexual harassment or assault. Democratic political leaders claim they support and believe women who come forth with allegations, but a candidate’s political interests and power still seem to trump all. I call on Democrats to place honesty and decency above party and to act as catalysts for change in the reasonable and respectful treatment of all people.