Sen. Al Franken gives first public interviews since sexual harassment allegations: 'I am embarrassed and ashamed'

On Sunday, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) made his first televised comments since being accused of sexual harassment, with his appearance coming eight days after radio host Leeann Tweeden said Franken kissed and groped her during a 2006 USO tour. In the intervening days, additional women have accused Franken of inappropriately touching them during photo ops. "I've let the people down," Franken told CBS Minnesota. "I've let the people of Minnesota down … I am embarrassed and ashamed."

While Franken kept a low profile immediately after the allegations, he returns to the Senate Monday after Thanksgiving recess. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow," he told the Star Tribune on Sunday. The same day, 65 women belonging to the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party issued a statement praising Franken as a "steadfast supporter of women's rights."

"I've been a champion for women, and I know this makes this all the harder," Franken added. "I know I'm not going to regain their trust immediately. There's no magic words I can say here to make that happen."

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