New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tied Gov. Andrew Cuomo's alleged cover-up of nursing home deaths to campaign contributions, saying on Sunday that hospitals, health systems and other donors were the reason the governor hid the numbers.
The mayor also continued to take aim at Cuomo amid a growing sexual harassment scandal, accusing him of being 'in the way' when it comes to saving lives during the fight against the coronavirus and again calling for him to resign.
De Blasio has been at the forefront of the crowd calling for Cuomo's resignation in recent weeks, seemingly unafraid of battling a now-weakened frequent adversary.
De Blasio appeared on CBS' Face the Nation, where he was asked about the possibility of Cuomo resigning in the face of controversy.
'I think he'll try to hold out,' De Blasio said to host Margaret Brennan. 'I think he is used to getting things his way and it's been almost an imperial governorship.
'But I gotta tell you, the folks in this state and political leadership don't believe in him anymore. He doesn't have any credibility.'
On Sunday, Bill de Blasio appeared on Face the Nation, where he teared into Andrew Cuomo
The New York governor (left) is dogged by two major scandals that threaten his administration
This weekend, Cuomo was seen walking outside his mansion wearing a blanket
That notion is supported by the increasing number of people who have called on Cuomo to resign, which now includes both New York senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
'I think an impeachment proceeding will begin,' de Blasio continued. 'And I think he will be impeached and perhaps right before that he’ll decide to resign. That's probably the most likely outcome right now.
'He should resign right now because he's holding up our effort to fight COVID. He's literally in the way of us saving lives right now.'
For months, Cuomo required nursing homes to take back recovered COVID-19 patients, which may have increased virus-related deaths at nursing homes.
According to the New York Times, aides of Cuomo did rewrite a health department report at one point to hide the true number of nursing home deaths.
'I don't have a doubt in my mind,' de Blasio said when asked if nursing home deaths were intentionally covered up.
De Blasio took it one step further, tying the alleged cover-up to 'campaign contributions.'
'The nursing home industry, the big hospital systems, they gave him millions and millions of dollars, and he went easy on them and he tried to cover up for everyone, not just him but his donors,' de Blasio said.
The two have been at odds in the past, particularly in regards to the coronavirus response
Just last week, de Blasio said that Cuomo couldn't continue to be governor of New York
Meanwhile, accusing Cuomo of being 'in the way' of the COVID-19 effort is in stark comparison to a year ago, when Cuomo was seen as a leading voice in the coronavirus fight.
His press conferences became a beacon of hope for many as New York City became the spring epicenter of the pandemic.
Cuomo even wrote a book detailing his leadership during the early months of the coronavirus fight - a move panned by some people as he collected a seven-figure advance from publishers Crown.
But his reputation for his COVID-19 response took a hit after allegations that his administration hid the amount of people in the state who died from COVID-19.
In one scandal, Cuomo is accused of covering up nursing home deaths (protest pictured)
In another scandal, Cuomo is facing allegations of sexual harassment (protest pictured)
Cuomo has also been accused of either inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment by seven different women, leading Attorney General Letitia James to open an investigation.
Just last week, de Blasio said Cuomo can 'no longer serve as governor' after another allegation emerged.
The two have been at odds in the past, particularly in regard to the coronavirus response of the city.
More employees have also alleged that the governor's office is an unprofessional and toxic work environment.
Cuomo has refused to resign, but now faces an impeachment investigation from the State Assembly.
One person who hasn't called for Cuomo's resignation is President Joe Biden.
'I think the investigation is underway and we should see what it brings us,' Biden responded when asked about Cuomo on Sunday, according to CNN.
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