New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Wednesday cracked a cringe-worthy joke making light of the #MeToo movement — while speaking to reporters, no less.

At the beginning of a conversation with journalists, Cuomo asked them to back up and give him some space, saying, "I'll bring you all up on charges under the Me Too movement," USA Today's Jon Campbell reports.


Though the clip cuts off after Cuomo's comment, reporter Nick Reisman writes that it was "received awkwardly" in the room, while Campbell says the reaction was mostly "nervous chuckles and silent astonishment."

The New York governor has spoken in support of the #MeToo movement in the past but has been criticized for his response to allegations of sexual harassment within his administration, Politico reports.