Biden 'Respects' Cuomo's Resignation, Says NY Governor Did 'Hell of a Job'

U.S. President Joe Biden, who previously called for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's resignation, says he supports the governor's decision to step down in two weeks amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

"I respect the governor's decision—the decision he made," Biden told reporters Tuesday just hours after Cuomo made his announcement in a televised address.

But he also praised the governor for his three terms leading the nation's fourth most populous state.

"He's done a hell of a job—both on everything from access to voting to infrastructure to a whole range of things," Biden said when asked about Cuomo's record of work. "That's why it's so sad."

Biden has long worked with Cuomo on infrastructure and other issues and more recently tapped him to lead updates on the COVID-19 pandemic with other governors.

But Biden publicly called for the governor to resign last week, after the release of an independent investigative report concluded that there were allegations of harassment from at least 11 current and former state workers.

Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing.

Biden hasn't spoken directly to Cuomo since before the detailed report was released, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday. The White House didn't get advance notice of Cuomo's planned announcement and no one from the White House has been in contact with Cuomo, she added.

Cuomo, 63, has been a high-profile figure in Democratic politics and was thought to be seeking a fourth term.

Biden said he doesn't expect the resignation to have a ripple effect on Democratic politics.

"The impact is all on Andrew Cuomo," Biden said.

During his 20-minute video address Tuesday, Cuomo said his resignation would take effect in 14 days.

"Wasting energy on distractions is the last thing that state government should be doing," Cuomo said. "And I cannot be the cause of that."

Aside from Biden, other high-profile Democrats and Republicans had increasingly been calling for him to step down and state lawmakers laying the groundwork for impeachment proceedings.

Cuomo's accusers also began speaking up publicly—making the national media rounds.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced last week that Cuomo, 63, was found to have created a hostile work environment for women in violation of state and federal law, though he hasn't been charged with any crimes.

"This investigation has revealed conduct that corrodes the very fabric and character of our state government," James told reporters during a news conference on the 165-page report on the findings of the independent investigation.

Cuomo responded in a televised address by claiming he's an affection person. His legal team released an 85-page retort full of photos of him and other officials, including Biden, touching or kissing various people.