Washington — US Senator Al Franken said Thursday he would resign in the face of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, becoming the second prominent Democrat forced out in a week over the snowballing harassment allegations convulsing the country. But in an emotional and defiant address from the Senate floor, the comedian-turned-legislator also delivered a parting shot at President Donald Trump and Republican politician Roy Moore, who is running for the Senate despite being accused of molesting teenagers. Facing a groundswell of demands to resign from within his own party ranks, Franken acknowledged his position had become untenable, but also insisted he remained a "champion" of women and that some of the accusations against him "are simply not true". "There’s been a very different picture of me painted over the last few weeks," Franken said. "But I know who I really am. I know in my heart that nothing I have done as a senator — nothing — has brought dishonor on this institution....

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