Joe Biden says 'I take responsibility' for the way Anita Hill was treated

(Image credit: Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

published 29 April 2019

Former Vice President Joe Biden has said he takes responsibility for the way Anita Hill was treated days after she expressed dissatisfaction with his apology.

Biden said during a Good Morning America interview set to air on Tuesday, "As the committee chairman, I take responsibility that [Hill] did not get treated well. I take responsibility for that." He also said that he "apologized" for this and that "I apologize again because, look, here's the deal. She just did not get treated fair across the board. The system did not work."

Biden was the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991 when Hill testified that then Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her, and he has faced criticism for his handling of the hearing. Shortly after announcing his 2020 bid, Biden's campaign said that he had offered a private apology to Hill. But Hill told The New York Times she wasn't happy with it, saying, “I cannot be satisfied by simply saying, 'I'm sorry for what happened to you.' I will be satisfied when I know that there is real change and real accountability and real purpose."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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