After Another Accusation From His 2016 Campaign, Sanders Gives Full Apology

UNITED STATES - JULY 6: Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) leaves the Senate Democrats' policy lunch in the Capitol on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) (CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) gave a full apology on Thursday after reports surfaced of another former staffer from his 2016 campaign accusing a top aide of sexual assault, according to a Politico report.

“It appears that as part of our campaign, there were some women who were harassed or mistreated. And I thank them, from the bottom of my heart, for speaking out,” Sanders said after a press conference about a prescription drug bill. “What they experienced was absolutely unacceptable and certainly not what a progressive campaign, or any campaign, should be about.”

“To the women in our campaign who were harassed or mistreated, I apologize,” he continued. “Our standards, our procedures, our safeguards, were clearly inadequate.”

The latest incident allegedly occurred on the night of the 2016 Democratic Convention when the female staffer says she was forcibly grabbed and kissed by her supervisor, Robert Becker.

Staffers have been coming forward in recent weeks to tell their own stories of sexual assault and harassment, and to shine a light on a campaign with a “bro” culture and little accountability. At that time, Sanders said he was unaware of the alleged events since he was “a little bit busy” campaigning.

Latest News
82
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Apology #1

  2. When you surround yourself with Bros you can expect them to do Bro things.

  3. Avatar for coffee coffee says:

    My appreciation for the accuracy of the term “Bernie Bros” continues to increase.

  4. Still talking about 2020 Bernie?

  5. Avatar for aiddon aiddon says:

    I really hope he isn’t

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

76 more replies

Participants

Avatar for sandi Avatar for ajm Avatar for playitagainrowlf Avatar for xpurg8d Avatar for pluckyinky Avatar for scavok Avatar for ergospongebath Avatar for chelsea530 Avatar for christianhankel Avatar for mcstubbins Avatar for maxaroo Avatar for kitty Avatar for thomasmatthew Avatar for tena Avatar for established_1781 Avatar for spencersmom Avatar for jenbieds Avatar for libthinker Avatar for erik_t Avatar for phlogiston Avatar for outis Avatar for fredbelanger Avatar for randome Avatar for emiliano4

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: