Trump accusers ‘should be heard,’ Haley says

Women who have “felt violated or felt mistreated in any way” should speak up and be heard – including those who have accused President Donald Trump of touching or groping them, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday.

Haley’s comments Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” came after a week in which three lawmakers – Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota – said they would step down amid allegations of sexual harassment.

“I am incredibly proud of the women who have come forward,” the former South Carolina governor told CBS host John Dickerson. “I’m proud of their strength, I’m proud of their courage and I think that the idea that this is happening will start to bring a conscience to the situation, not just in politics but, (as) we’ve seen, in Hollywood and every industry.”

Dickerson asked Haley how people should assess the women who have accused Trump of groping or touching them.

“Women who accuse anyone should be heard,” she said. “They should be heard and they should be dealt with. And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.”

Haley said it’s “for the people to decide” if the issue was settled by Trump’s election to the White House.

“I know he was elected, but women should always feel comfortable coming forward,” she said, “and we should all be willing to listen to them.”

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Trump accusers ‘should be heard,’ Haley says."