Al Franken Senate resignation sparks reaction from politicians, celebrities

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Franken resigns from Senate amid new claims of sexual misconduct, backlash from Dems

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) resigns amid a growing number of women accusing him of sexual harassment. Franken, who said that some of the complaints against him were “simply not true” and that he remembers others “differently,” also took a parting shot at President Trump.

Sen. Al Franken will resign from the Senate Jan. 2, Fox News has confirmed.

Franken had announced Dec. 7 that he would resign from the Senate "in the coming weeks" following multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Celebrities and politicians took to Twitter earlier this month to weigh in on Franken's announcement. Read their reactions below.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee called Franken's speech "stunning."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., released a statement on Twitter following Franken's annoucement.

Ann Coulter also tweeted about Franken's decision to step down.

Ari Fleischer, who served as the White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush, also tweeted about Franken.

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted, "...because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and God-darnit people like me. #Franken."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tweeted, "We have a president who acknowledged on tape that he assaulted women. I would hope that he pays attention to what's going on and think about resigning."

"Silicon Valley" Kumail Nanjani tweeted, "Al Franken resigns. Finally, we are free of all sexual predators in the U.S. government."

"Btw, I think he needed to resign," he said in another tweet. "It was the correct, and only, thing to do."

Actress Amber Tamblyn tweeted, "If you’ve made an effort calling for Franken to resign yet Roy Moore wins the Alabama election, you are part of the problem. Ask yourselves who you’ve called, who you’ve written, who you’ve bulldozed to get Moore out. Ask yourself what you’ve done lately to stop him."

“Senator Franken made the right decision today,” Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin said as part of a statement. “He has been a tireless and strong progressive leader on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington, but that in no way excuses his behavior toward the women who came forward. His resignation today is an important part of the healing process.”

“Today Senator Franken acknowledged that he could no longer serve in the Senate and resigned,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., said in a lengthy statement. “As he and I discussed yesterday, this is the right decision.”

“If @alfranken is going to resign tomorrow, I think he should do it on the condition that there are congressional hearings about @realDonaldTrump ‘s sexual misconduct allegations," actress Maggie Gyllenhaal tweeted.

“I am pleased Senator Franken made the right decision for the great state of Minnesota and our country,” Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said in a statement. “Elected officials hold the trust of the constituents they represent, and it is crucial we cherish and honor that trust. I am hopeful this will move our society towards better behavior.”

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Michael McAdams said in a statement, “The NRSC is confident Republicans will be able to win this soon-to-be vacant Senate seat come November, and look forward to expanding our Senate Majority.”

Fox News' Matt Finn and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.