NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 14: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at a press conference in his Midtown Manhattan office September 14, 2018 in New York City. Cuomo discussed his first election victory during the night, as well as a range of other topics. (Photo by Drew Angerer / Getty Images) | Drew Angerer / Getty Images
ALBANY, NY – Republicans in New York attacked the government of Andrew Cuomo on Thursday night in response to new revelations about his disclosure of information about nursing home deaths, with several calling for him to resign or be impeached.
The New York Post reported that senior official Melissa DeRosa told Democratic state lawmakers in a meeting Wednesday that the government “froze” when asked to release data on the number of nursing home residents who had died from Covid-19. A March guideline from Cuomo calling on nursing homes to admit patients who tested positive for the coronavirus has been accused of contributing to high death rates.
DeRosa said the government opposed the release of data because of former President Donald Trump’s attempts to turn the tragedy “into giant political football,” the Post said. “Because then we were in a position where we weren’t sure if what we were going to give to the Justice Department, or what we’re giving you, what we’re starting to say, would be used against us while we were still doing it.” not sure if there will be an investigation, ‘DeRosa said, according to the Post.
Nearly every top Republican in the state threw himself into the Post’s report, exposing Cuomo to a barrage of criticism unparalleled at any point during his tenure.
“For more than six months, day in and day out, Gov. Cuomo stood at post-briefing briefing to the New Yorkers and lied about his guideline that contributed to the deaths of thousands of seniors,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Cuomo’s 2018 challenger. Over the next few days, he will cynically try to convince us that it was for our own good – that it was someone else’s fault. This is another lie. What is true is that Andrew Cuomo has proven himself unworthy of our trust and unfit for public office. “
“Talks about prosecution and impeachment must begin immediately,” said GOP chairman Nick Langworthy. “If the governor is involved, he should be immediately removed from office,” said Rob Ortt, leader of the minorities in the Senate. And Rep. Tom Reed (RN.Y.) called on other members of Congress to call for “an independent and thorough investigation by the Biden Department of Justice of Governor Cuomo and New York State.”
Numerous Democrats have attacked Cuomo following the recent release of a report by Attorney General Tish James, saying the governor has counted the dead count too low. So far, however, the leaders of the state legislature have avoided going to war with Cuomo by issuing subpoenas or diminishing his emergency powers.
Some Democrats who were Cuomo’s most outspoken critics joined Republicans in their response to the Post article: “You’re just sorry you all got caught,” tweeted Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Westchester). “Your decisions have killed thousands of people who did not have to die.”
Cuomo adviser Rich Azzopardi responded to the Post’s report in a comment to the paper that he then tweeted: “We explained that the Trump administration was engaged in a politically motivated attempt to blame. [Democratic] proposes COVID deaths and that we partnered with federal document productions and that was the priority and now that it’s over, we can address the state legislature. “