Democratic Congresswomen seek probe into Trump sexual misconduct allegations

Washington, Dec 13 (IANS) A group of 59 Democratic Congresswomen have called on the US House of Representatives to launch a probe into accusations of sexual misconduct against President Donald Trump.

In a letter to the chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Congresswomen said Americans deserved to know the truth about the allegations, which first surfaced during the 2016 presidential campaign, Efe news reported.

Their request came a day after three of Trump's accusers -- Samantha Holvey, Jessica Leeds and Rachel Crooks -- reiterated their accusations and demanded a Congressional probe.

"At least 17 women have publicly accused the President of sexual misconduct," the letter read, noting that one woman, Natasha Stoynoff, had recounted how the real-estate mogul and former reality-TV host "pushed her against a wall and forced his tongue down her throat".

Another woman, Kristin Anderson, accused Trump of groping her.

"The President's own remarks appear to back up the allegations. He has boasted in public and in crude terms that he feels at liberty to perpetrate such conduct against women," the letter said in reference to a 2005 video clip.

The clip was disseminated by the Washington Post during the election campaign in which Trump was heard describing a failed attempt to seduce a married woman and boasting that women let him grope them due to his celebrity status.

The letter also noted that some members of Congress had stepped down due to accusations of improper sexual conduct.

Democratic Representative John Conyers, Democratic Senator Al Franken and Republican Representative Trent Franks announced their resignations (or intention to resign).

Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to reiterate that women accusing him of sexual misconduct were fabricating their stories and said the Democratic Party and the media were trying to bring him down.

"The Democrats ... are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don't know and/or have never met. FAKE NEWS!" he tweeted.

He also hit out at Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who earlier this week joined four of her colleagues in calling for Trump to resign over the "credible" and "numerous" accusations he faces.

"Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office 'begging' for campaign contributions not so long ago, is now in the ring fighting against Trump," he wrote.

Gillibrand fired back at Trump on Twitter. "You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office," she wrote.