Elected officials and presidential candidates are joining the voices of many calling for the resignation of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló following growing protests against him.
The pressure is building around Ricardo over corruption investigations and 889 pages of a private chat between him and some of his officials and close associates that were leaked.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans have already taken to the streets in recent days to express their distaste, including famous faces like Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Now politicians on the mainland are adding their voices to the calls for Rosselló’s resignation.
Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris:
“The only path to justice for the people of Puerto Rico is to speak truth against divisive and corrupt leaders. I stand with them as they protest and demand accountability,” Harris tweeted.
Puerto Rico’s non-voting member of Congress, Rep. Jenniffer González-Colon: “His leadership has been questioned to direct the destinations of the island, as well as our recovery after the hurricane,” González-Colon wrote on Facebook. “When that happens the government, the state, loses strength in its credibility and its legitimacy.”
Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Cory Booker:
“I stand with the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who’ve taken to the streets calling for [Rosselló] to resign. It’s clear their confidence in his ability to govern has eroded and they’re right to demand the new leadership they deserve,” Booker tweeted.
Democratic presidential candidate, Julián Castro: “We’ve seen comments he and others in his administration have made, we’ve seen them using force against the people of Puerto Rico,” Castro said during a campaign event in New Hampshire. “This governor can no longer be effective, and I believe that he should resign.
Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren: I stand with Puerto Ricans who are taking to the streets this week to protest government corruption & Governor @RicardoRossello’s deeply offensive comments. His actions are hurtful & undermine public trust. He must answer to the Puerto Rican people.
Democratic presidential candidate Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: ”I stand in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico who have been suffering and struggling under this very corrupt government for far too long,“ Gabbard told CNN from San Juan. ”They are saying enough is enough. I join them in calling for this governor’s resignation. They can then begin to find a leader who will truly listen to their concerns and work for their interests.“
The governor continues to resist calls to resign.
