Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is adamant former Vice President Joe Biden’s (D) response to a sexual assault allegation made against him is adequate and deserving of her support.
Warren told CNN’s Manu Raju she believes Biden’s comments on the allegation were “credible and convincing.”
“I saw the reports of what Ms. Reade said, I saw an interview with Vice President Biden. I appreciate that the vice president took a lot of questions, tough questions,” Warren said.
She added, “And he answered them directly and respectfully. The vice president’s answers were credible and convincing.”
“I saw the reports of what Ms. Reade said, I saw an interview with Vice President Biden. I appreciate that the vice president took a lot of questions, tough questions. And he answered them directly and respectfully. The vice president's answers were credible and convincing.“
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 4, 2020
Warren’s comments come shortly after Biden released a statement on Friday directly responding to the allegation, as IJR previously reported.
The allegation was made by Tara Reade, a former staffer while Biden was a senator. She is alleging he sexually assaulted her in 1993.
“I recognize my responsibility to be a voice, an advocate, and a leader for the change in culture that has begun but is nowhere near finished,” Biden’s statement reads.
He adds, “So I want to address allegations by a former staffer that I engaged in misconduct 27 years ago. They aren’t true. This never happened.”
Other Democrats have come forward in support of Biden, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), as IJR previously reported.
Pelosi doubled down on her endorsement of Biden explaining she is satisfied with his response to the allegation as well.
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams — who has been vocal about her desire to become Biden’s running mate — also came to Biden’s defense as she said, “I believe Joe Biden.”
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez weighed in on creating an unbiased panel to investigate the allegation made by Reade.
Perez defended Biden as he noted the former vice president had already been investigated by former President Barack Obama (D) prior to becoming his running mate.
“They looked at the entire history of Joe Biden, his entire career,” Perez said. “Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden, I trust Joe Biden. Those investigations have been done.”