Al Franken (D – Minnesota) announced Thursday that he will resign from the U.S. Senate after facing over a half-dozen allegations of sexual misconduct. The move comes a day after he was denounced by more than a dozen of his Democratic Senate colleagues — including most of the Senate’s Democratic women.

“I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate,” said Franken, adding that an internal Senate investigation would make him unable to properly serve his constituents. “It’s become clear that I cannot both pursue the ethics committee process and remain an effective member.”

The former “Saturday Night Live” star, who was first elected to the Senate in 2008, also took a parting swipe at Republican leaders like President Donald Trump and Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore who have survived arguably more serious accusations of sexual misconduct.

“I of all people am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape of his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls is campaigning for the Senate with the full support of his party.”

Also Read: Six Female Democratic Senators Call on Al Franken to Resign

While it once seemed the Minnesota senator might survive accusations of groping and forced kissing from multiple women, that illusions was shattered after Politico published a new accusation by a seventh accuser, a former Democratic congressional aide who said Franken tried to forcibly kiss her back in 2006 after a taping of his radio show.

Within hours, six female Democratic senators held a press conference denouncing Franken and calling on him to step aside.

By day’s end, they were joined by the majority of the Democratic caucus including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. TheWrap reported yesterday that Franken was weighing his options Wednesday night with his family.

When Franken steps aside, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, is expected to name a replacement to fill the seat until a special election in 2018. Whoever wins that contest would then have to seek re-election again when Franken’s current term ends in 2020.

Also Read: Senator Al Franken Continues Apology Tour: 'I Just Want to Again Say I Am Sorry'

“I do not feel that he should continue to serve,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D – New York). “Everyone will make their own judgment.”

Franken woes first began last month when radio host Leeann Tweeden wrote that the comedian groped and forcibly kissed her while the two were on tour with the USO in 2003.

Tweeden’s account also included a damning photo of Franken seemingly groping Tweeden while she slept.

'Today' Fallout: 13 Potential Replacements for Matt Lauer, From Ann Curry to Robin Meade (Photos)

Matt Lauer has exited NBC's "Today" show after allegations of sexual misconduct, which Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced on the show Wednesday morning. His departure leaves a big hole in the "Today" team. Here are some potential replacements.
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Ann Curry

Fans are already lobbying online for the return of Ann Curry, who left "Today" in 2012. Since she's a veteran, she'd no doubt easily slide back in to the role, but since there was reportedly conflicts with NBC higher-ups, we're not sure how likely her return might be (or if she'd want the job).
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Carson Daly

The host of "The Voice" is already a familiar face on "Today," has plenty of experience with interviews and lots of charisma. Why not give him room to expand his journalistic chops with a higher profile role on the morning show?
Sam Champion

The "Good Morning America" weatherman has 25 years under his belt anchoring a major broadcast, so he has the experience needed for the role. He tweeted Wednesday morning after the Lauer news broke that "Network TV needs a good scrubbing!"
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Katie Couric

Couric is a beloved figure in American journalism and would certainly be a welcome face for viewers. She worked with Lauer for nine years on the "Today" show before she moved on.
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Meredith Vieira

Another "Today" alum, Vieira definitely has the experience needed to succeed in the role. The "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" host is deft in balancing small talk with the million-dollar questions.
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Bryant Gumbel

The former "Today" anchor comes across as a class act, which is something the NBC News morning show could sure use a touch of right now. With no "Real Sports" going on right now, the guy who recently appeared on "Finding Your Roots" should return back to his roots. Should Gumbel come back to "Today," we'd insist on Jerry Seinfeld granting him an interview while donning a puffy shirt.
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Willie Geist

The "Morning Joe" co-anchor also anchor's "Sunday Today," and has filled in for Lauer in the past. He's got the experience and seems like a logical pick.
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Al Roker

Roker's lovable personality already delights viewers of "Today." If Roker wanted to forgo his weatherman duties, we could see him moving into Lauer's role.
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Hoda Kotb

Kotb co-hosts "Today" show's fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, but she's also done other segments for the NBC morning show, and we could definitely see her taking on longer interviews and expanding her hosting chops.
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Natalie Morales

Morales has defined her anchor abilities on "Today," "Dateline" and "NBC Nightly News." Her interviewing and hosting skills make her a great candidate to fill Lauer's shoes.
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Josh Elliott

By many accounts, Elliott was actually brought in to NBC a few years back to eventually replace Matt Lauer on "Today." That obviously didn't work out, nor did his recent year at CBS News. But the "GMA" alum knows how to do these morning shows, so how about a little Lauer 2.0 Take 2?
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Tamron Hall

The current Investigation Discovery host has done almost every job NBC News has to offer -- including hosting on the "Today" show. The former third-hour anchor could return for the first two, and maybe rub off in a positive way on her ultimate 9 a.m. successor, Megyn Kelly.
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Robin Meade

Alright, so Robin Meade is gainfully employed with her own morning show at HLN. But maybe it's time to step up to the big (broadcast) leagues. The country music singer and former beauty queen knows her way around a TV studio, and nothing topples the patriarchy like a little girl power.
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Who will fill the shoes of the fired “Today” host?

Matt Lauer has exited NBC's "Today" show after allegations of sexual misconduct, which Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced on the show Wednesday morning. His departure leaves a big hole in the "Today" team. Here are some potential replacements.

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