House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is getting pushback for her defense of Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and for questioning his sexual harassment accusers.
In an interview Sunday on NBC News' "Meet The Press," the California lawmaker hailed Conyers as an American icon.
"John Conyers is an icon in our country," she said. "He has done a great deal to protect women."
"I believe he understands what's at stake here; he will do the right thing," she added.
She also said both Conyers and those accusing him are entitled to "due process," but also asked: "I don't know who they are — do you?"
Host Chuck Todd asked whether Pelosi believed the women alleging Conyers treated them inappropriately.
"That's for the ethics committee to review," she replied.
Weekly Standard founder and editor-at-large Bill Kristol blasted her response as being no different than President Donald Trump's defense of GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who is facing allegations of sexual impropriety.
But American Conservative Union head Matt Schlapp rebuked Pelosi for her focus on political power.
Political editor for TownHall and Fox News contributor Guy Benson pointed to Pelosi's Sunday interview as an example of a "double standard."
Later Sunday, Pelosi applauded Conyers' decision to step down from his leadership position on the House Judiciary Committee while the Ethics Committee reviews the harassment allegations against him.
"Zero tolerance means consequences," Pelosi said in a statement, Fox News reported, noting she had asked for an ethics investigation into Conyers and he "agreed to step aside" as ranking member on the committee.
"We are at a watershed moment on this issue, and no matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for harassment," Pelosi said. "I commend the brave women coming forward."
Her stance only added fuel to the backlash.
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