Hold Trump to "same standard as Harvey Weinstein": Accusers demand Congress investigate

Appearing at a Monday press conference, Rachel Crooks helped raise the voices of the dozen women who came forward during the campaign to detail their disturbing stories of Trump’s predatory behavior.

Crooks was joined by Jessica Leeds and Samantha Holvey who have each shared their own stories of assault at Trump’s hands. Crooks recounted how Trump tried to forcibly kiss her inside on office building. Holvey said while competing as Miss North Carolina in the 2006 Miss USA pageant, Trump came backstage to look at half-dressed young women. Leeds detailed how Trump had groped her during an airplane flight — and three years later called her the “c*nt from that airplane” in front of a crowd at a charity event.

Following the unearthing of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape where Trump bragged about his previous sexual assaults, 16 women came forward with personal accusations of sexual abuse and harassment.

But in the end, Trump wasn’t held accountable.

Now, in light of the cultural revolution underway as powerful men across the country and being publicly shamed for their previous transgressions — and paying the price with their careers — these women want to be heard again.

They want what happened to Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose to happen to Trump — that he face the consequences of his deplorable actions.

CROOKS: Recently the Me Too movement has gained momentum and women have found strength in one an another and the courage to come forward, leading many powerful men to suffer the consequences of their actions. Trump however, has escaped his past unscathed. But over a dozen women have come forward about his sexual misconduct and we have video proof of him promoting such behavior. In an objective setting, without question a person with this record would have entered the graveyard of political aspirations, never to return. Yet here we are with that man as president. I want to believe that as Americans we can put aside our political inclinations and admit some things do in fact transcend politics, that we will hold Mr. Trump to the same standard as Harvey Weinstein and the other men who were held accountable for their reprehensible behavior. Therefore, I ask that Congress put aside their party affiliations and investigate Mr. Trump’s history of sexual misconduct.

The women are raising their voices in the wake of Sen. Al Franken’s resignation from Congress for allegations of behavior that seems far more questionable and nowhere near as disturbing as Trump’s.

The new calls for accountability also come one day before Trump’s preferred candidate in the Alabama Senate race tries to secure a win with the full backing of the Republican party — despite being credibly accused of molesting young girls.

For now the official position of the Republican Party is holding strong: if they’re accusing Republicans, do not believe women.