Franken Resigns: ‘Ironic’ I’m Leaving While Trump Is In Office

WASHINGTON, DC — Sen. Al Franken announced Thursday that he plans to resign from the Senate amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against him. Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota, faced a flood of calls for him to step down from within his own party Wednesday.

"In the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate," Franken said from the Senate floor Thursday. “There is some irony that I am leaving while a man who bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who preyed on young girls runs for Senate with the full support of his party."

Franken also said some of the allegations made against him "are simply not true" and that he's proud to have used his power in the Senate "to be a champion of women."

"This decision is not about me. It’s about the people of Minnesota."

Minnesota's senior Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar, said in a statement Franken made "the right decision" but also praised his time in the Senate.

"Senator Franken has worked for years on behalf of the people of Minnesota and he has been a leader on issues that are fundamental to Americans’ lives, including education, privacy, healthcare and mental health," Klobuchar said. "He has been a friend to me and to many in our state."

Gov. Mark Dayton, who is now tasked with finding a replacement for Franken, said in a statement he has "not yet decided on my appointment to fill this upcoming vacancy" but expects to announce his decision "in the next couple of days."

Franken had been accused of sexual misconduct by at least seven women leading up to his decision to resign. Their claims range from groping to unwanted touching to forcible kissing.

Watch: Senator Al Franken To Quit Amid Allegations

Franken's latest accuser, who was working as a Democratic congressional aide, told Politico that he approached her when her boss left the radio studio and she was gathering her belongings to follow him out. She turned around to see Franken in her face and ducked to avoid him planting a kiss on her.

In a statement to Politico, Franken fervently denied the allegation, saying: "This allegation is categorically not true, and the idea that I would claim this as my right as an entertainer is preposterous."

Also read: Here's What Happens If Al Franken Resigns

Allegations against Franken began to come out in November when radio host Leeann Tweeden accused him of groping her during a USO event in 2006. He later apologized for his behavior and said he "let a lot of people down." He had also agreed to participate in a Senate ethics committee investigation into his alleged conduct.

The two-term incumbent was first elected to the Senate in 2008 when he defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman by just 312 votes. He had previously worked as a comic on "Saturday Night Live."

Ben Feuerherd, Patch National Staff contributed to this report

Photo credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File