After the 2016 election with many sexual assault claims made towards men running for president including incumbent President Donald Trump, this year sexual assault claims have been made to former Vice President and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden. On March 29, a former Nevada assemblywoman Lucy Flores, said during an op-ed that Biden had made her uncomfortable. She said Biden “leaned further in and inhaled my hair” and then “proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head.” Biden responded to Flores’ allegations by saying that in his “many years on the campaign trail and in pubic life” he has “offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support, and comfort. And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately.”

A second woman came forward named Amy Lappos who said Biden “reached for her face and rubbed noses with her” during a Connecticut fundraiser in 2009. Two more women later came forward with allegations against Biden. Joe Biden later responded to all of the claims by saying “social norms began to change,” he said. “They’ve shifted, and the boundaries of protecting personal space have been reset — and I get it, I get it. I hear what they’re saying. I understand it. And I’ll be much more mindful.”

Many women came to the defense of Biden including Stephanie Carter, the wife of Ash Carter, the former Secretary of State after a viral picture of Biden kissing the back of her head during her husband’s swearing in as Secretary of State which she responded to by saying Biden was, “helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful.” Although Flores and Lappos do not describe their claims against Biden as assault, they do consider his behavior inappropriate and that he did not respect their personal space. Flores later said “I’m glad Vice President Joe Biden acknowledges that he made women feel uncomfortable… and yet he hasn’t apologized to the women he made uncomfortable.”

After allegations of inappropriate behavior against former Vice President Joe Biden, this may lose some respect for Joe Biden and may think twice about voting for him in 2020. With the primaries just around the corner we will see if this may affect Biden’s chances of becoming the 2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee.

Photo via politico.com