Fact check: Who threw Al Franken out of politics

1. Summary of the results

Al Franken was effectively forced out of politics by his own Democratic colleagues following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017. The key figures who pressured him to resign included Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Kamala Harris, as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ^[1].

Eight women accused Franken of sexual misconduct, including groping and unwanted kissing ^[2]. Rather than waiting for the Senate Ethics Committee investigation to conclude, Franken announced his resignation in December 2017 under intense pressure from fellow Democrats ^{[3] [4]}. His resignation became official in January 2018 ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the regret and second-guessing that followed Franken's departure. Seven Democratic senators who initially demanded his resignation later expressed regret over their decision ^{[5] [6]}. This suggests the process may have been rushed and politically motivated rather than based on a thorough investigation.

The analyses reveal significant questions about due process and fairness. Franken himself stated he "absolutely" regrets resigning without allowing the Senate Ethics Committee investigation to run its course ^[1]. The New Yorker analysis specifically raises concerns about whether Franken was given proper due process and treated fairly ^[5].

Key Democratic leaders who would have benefited from Franken's removal include:

• Kirsten Gillibrand and Kamala Harris, who positioned themselves as champions of the #MeToo movement
• Chuck Schumer, who could demonstrate party discipline on sexual misconduct issues
• Other Democratic senators who avoided potential political liability by taking a strong stance

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "who threw Al Franken out of politics" contains an implicit bias by using the phrase "threw out," which suggests Franken was a victim rather than someone who resigned amid credible allegations. This framing omits the fact that eight women made specific accusations against him ^[2].

However, the question also inadvertently captures an important truth - that Franken was indeed "thrown out" by his own party colleagues rather than by voters, the ethics process, or even his accusers directly. The analyses show this was primarily a political calculation by Democratic leadership rather than the result of a completed investigative process ^{[1] [5]}.

The statement fails to acknowledge the complexity and controversy surrounding Franken's departure, including the subsequent regret expressed by many who demanded his resignation and the ongoing debate about whether he received fair treatment ^{[5] [6]}.