Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax (D) insists that he will not resign over the two sexual assault allegations against him, but says that “everyone deserves to be heard,” according to a Monday Washington Post report.
“Even in the most difficult times, including ones like these, that’s when it’s most important to adhere to our highest values as Americans,” Fairfax told the Post. “And due process is at the heart of our constitutional democracy in order to get to the truth and be true to what we are as Americans.”
“Everyone deserves to be heard,” he continued. “Even when faced with those allegations, I am still standing up for everyone’s right to be heard. But I’m also standing up for due process.”
“I did not sexually assault Meredith Watson, Vanessa Tyson or anyone else, and the truth will help to confirm that statement,” he added. “And we’re looking forward to these independent investigations to get at the truth.”
Tyson and Watson both say that Fairfax assaulted them in the 2000s, the former at the Democratic National Convention and the latter when they were undergraduates at Duke University.
Per the Post, House Democrats in Virginia have slowed down the process of impeachment, due to the complicating fact that Fairfax was not lieutenant governor when the alleged assaults occurred.
In this case, an impeachment proceeding before the legislature will be due process.
(At bottom, “due process” is simply the process that is due.)
Fairfax is, for reasons I can’t fathom, trying to tread water. Unless there’s something he knows that we don’t, I find it very very hard to believe that he’s got some evidence that is going to prove that the women accusing him are lying. Or “confused.” Or “mistaken.”
I can’t see how he can stay in office long-term. If any of you have an idea of how he might, please illuminate that for the rest of us.
I’m with him on that.
As Malcolm Nance said on Maher
There’s an awful lot of coincidental releases against Democrats after several hard fought campaigns did not reveal them
Yes, let’s stop trying people in the court of public opinion. Hold an investigation, and then if necessary hold the person accountable. We should have done this with Franken.
Impeachment typically involves an investigation, which is what Fairfax is asking for.
^ THIS ^