Rep. Eric Swalwell to Step Down from Congress Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims
California Congressman Eric Swalwell has declared his intention to resign from Congress, a decision prompted by allegations of sexual assault from a former staff member and other claims of inappropriate behavior towards women.
In a statement released Monday, Swalwell, who has categorically denied the accusations, acknowledged the possibility of an immediate expulsion vote against him. “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress,” he stated.
He expressed regret to his family, staff, and constituents for what he termed “mistakes in judgment,” while maintaining that the allegations, including claims of rape, are “false.”
Shortly after Swalwell's announcement, Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales revealed his own plans to leave Congress, following his admission of an affair with a staffer who tragically took her own life last year.
A woman, hired in 2019 for Swalwell’s office, accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions while she was heavily intoxicated. Reports indicate that one incident occurred in 2024, years after she had left his employment.
After a night of drinks with Swalwell post-awards ceremony in New York, she claimed to have lost significant memory of the evening, alleging that he assaulted her in a hotel room. “I woke up once during it and even told him to stop at one point,” she recounted in a text message to a friend, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The following morning, she reported experiencing vaginal bleeding and bruises. Swalwell has vehemently denied these allegations.
Further complicating matters, CNN later reported that four women have come forward with accusations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell from their twenties, including claims of unsolicited nude photos sent via Snapchat. One account shared by a woman aligns closely with the allegations made by the former staffer, though verification remains unconfirmed.
In a video posted on social media, Swalwell asserted, “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened and I will fight them with everything that I have.”
The fallout from these allegations has severely impacted Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign in California, where he was previously considered a leading candidate.
Several prominent Democrats, including Senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego, have withdrawn their support for him. House Democratic leadership has called for an expedited investigation into the claims and urged Swalwell to abandon his gubernatorial aspirations. Consequently, he suspended his campaign on Sunday night.
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Swalwell regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving an employee under his supervision.
Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, demanded the immediate resignation of both Swalwell and Gonzales. “Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell are not fit to serve. They must resign. If they do not, I will vote to expel them,” she stated.
Gonzales had previously announced his decision to retire early from Congress after dropping his re-election bid in March.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas,” he wrote.
Swalwell’s resignation will prompt a special election in his district, as reported by the Associated Press. California Governor Gavin Newsom is tasked with calling this special election within 14 calendar days following the vacancy.
