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Federal Probes Into Eric Swalwell Sexual-Assault Allegations Prompt Bipartisan Calls for Zero-Tolerance Culture in Congress
Rep. Eric Swalwell announced in mid-April 2026 that he will resign from Congress after multiple women publicly accused him of sexual misconduct and assault, allegations he has denied while acknowledging unspecified "mistakes in judgment." The Manhattan District Attorney's Office and Los Angeles authorities have opened inquiries — with the Manhattan DA publicly inviting other survivors to contact its Special Victims Division — and the Department of Justice has also launched a criminal review. The House Ethics Committee likewise confirmed it had moved beyond a preliminary review to open an investigation into whether Swalwell may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including toward an employee; several outlets reported his resignation would likely end that committee inquiry. At least five women have come forward in reporting across outlets, with allegations ranging from unwanted explicit messages and photos to claims of drugging and rape tied to incidents in 2018 and in New York in 2024. Swalwell suspended and then ended his California gubernatorial campaign as the allegations and probes intensified.
The political fallout has been swift and bipartisan, with members of both parties publicly expressing disgust and some Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, moving to fast-track expulsion resolutions before his resignation. More than 50 former Swalwell staffers reportedly signed a letter urging him to step down, and multiple Democrats and incumbents have begun returning contributions tied to Swalwell or his Remedy PAC — which reporting shows gave roughly $20,000 in the 2024 cycle and more than $170,000 to current Democrats in Congress — often redirecting funds to charities for survivors. Leaders on both sides framed the episode as a test of congressional culture: lawmakers and staffers called for a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct in the Capitol, while conservative commentators and some social accounts linked the scandal to longstanding controversies about Swalwell's past contacts and pushed for release of related FBI files. FBI Director Kash Patel publicly invited Swalwell to speak with the bureau and urged the public to submit tips, underscoring the multiple investigative threads now converging on the case.
Coverage of the story has shifted markedly as reporting progressed. Early national accounts largely focused on the opening of official inquiries and Swalwell's decision to suspend his campaign and resign; subsequent reporting from outlets including NPR, CBS, the New York Times and Fox amplified new on-the-record accusers, detailed allegations (including a high-profile new claim by Lonna Drewes), and documented evidence avenues cited by sources — contemporaneous outcry accounts, medical testing reported by one outlet, and FEC records tying a campaign payment to the hotel named by an accuser. That evolution pushed the narrative from a single inquiry and a resignation framed around due process and political pressure to a broader portrait of multiple alleged victims, multi-jurisdictional criminal probes and intensified calls from lawmakers for institutional reforms to prevent and respond to misconduct in Congress.
Congressional Ethics and Discipline
Eric Swalwell Misconduct Allegations
Congressional Ethics and Misconduct
Eric Swalwell
Eric Swalwell Misconduct Probes
This story is compiled from 36 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.
📌 Key Facts
- The House Ethics Committee publicly opened a formal investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell in mid‑April 2026 into whether he 'may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee'; his announcement that he will resign effectively halts that committee inquiry.
- Multiple criminal investigations are underway: the Manhattan District Attorney is probing an alleged April 25, 2024 encounter with a former staffer, Los Angeles investigators are examining a separate 2018 allegation, and the Department of Justice has opened a review—bringing local and federal scrutiny to at least some of the accusations.
- At least five women have publicly accused Swalwell of misconduct spanning unwanted advances to rape; named accusers who have given on‑record interviews include Ally Sammarco, Annika Albrecht and Lonna Drewes (who alleges she was drugged and raped in 2018); some accusers cite contemporaneous corroboration such as outcry witnesses, texts and medical tests, and several say they did not coordinate with one another.
- Swalwell has denied the specific allegations, called at least one a 'false' or 'political' attack while apologizing to his wife and acknowledging unspecified 'mistakes in judgment'; he suspended his California gubernatorial campaign and announced he will resign his House seat rather than face an immediate expulsion vote.
- The revelations prompted bipartisan outrage and renewed calls for a 'zero‑tolerance' culture in Congress—lawmakers across parties expressed disgust—while Republicans (including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna) pursued or threatened quick expulsion resolutions and more than 50 former Swalwell staffers publicly urged his resignation.
- Political and financial fallout is widening: multiple Democrats have returned campaign or PAC contributions tied to Swalwell, and Republican operatives have pressured holdouts; several members and candidates pledged to donate returned funds to survivor‑support organizations.
- Investigative and legal consequences extend beyond criminal probes: FBI Director Kash Patel publicly invited Swalwell for an interview and solicited tips, there were renewed demands to release earlier FBI files tied to a past China‑linked matter, and legal experts warned substantiated allegations could trigger professional consequences such as disbarment under California bar rules.
- Practical effects of his departure include the effective end of the House Ethics inquiry into a sitting member, the termination of his gubernatorial bid, and a California requirement that the governor call a special election within 14 days after the congressional vacancy is formalized.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
We’re Disappointed in All of You
"A critical op‑ed that frames Rep. Eric Swalwell’s resignation and contemporaneous political theatrics (including Trump’s self‑styled religious imagery) as evidence of bipartisan failure — condemning both elected officials and voters for enabling a decline in ethical, serious leadership."
📰 Source Timeline (36)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
April 16, 2026
9:57 PM
House lawmakers express disgust over Swalwell not being exposed sooner: 'It's shameful'
New information:
- On‑camera bipartisan reaction from House members, including Sarah McBride, Beth Van Duyne, Joaquin Castro and Debbie Dingell, expressing disgust that Swalwell served 16 years and rose to gubernatorial front‑runner status while allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct.
- McBride calls for a 'zero‑tolerance policy in the Capitol' for such behavior and says she is 'horrified' by the allegations and heartbroken for accusers.
- Van Duyne bluntly states behavioral red lines — 'Don't sleep with your staff. Don't sexually harass people that work for you. And don't rape women.'
- Castro acknowledges longstanding 'rumors' about Swalwell but says members often have limited insight into one another’s private conduct.
- Dingell urges staff to bring concerns to women members and says that had Nancy Pelosi known, 'she would have cut his blanks off,' underscoring a claim that leadership would have acted if fully informed.
- Swalwell’s attorney Sara Azari issues a fresh, strongly worded statement labeling the accusations 'false, fabricated, and deeply offensive' and a 'calculated and transparent political hit job.'
8:20 PM
DOJ opens investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations
New information:
- A source familiar with the matter confirms the Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the multiple sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell.
- The article restates that at least five women have accused Swalwell of sexual assault and harassment over several years, including claims he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted a staffer.
- It reiterates that district attorneys in Los Angeles and New York have launched their own investigations, framing them as at least two local criminal probes alongside the new DOJ review.
- The story re-quotes Swalwell’s resignation statement acknowledging unspecified “mistakes in judgment” while denying the specific accusations.
11:00 AM
FLASHBACK: Swalwell touted Epstein survivor as SOTU guest weeks before sexual assault allegations emerged
New information:
- Swalwell invited Epstein survivor Teresa Helm as his State of the Union guest earlier in 2026 to highlight sexual‑abuse victims and press for release of Epstein files.
- Fox quotes Swalwell’s pre‑SOTU press statement saying Helm had been ‘waiting for justice for more than two decades’ and that ‘the President owes her — and all survivors — answers.’
- Helm, now Survivor Services Coordinator at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, publicly urged Congress and DOJ to release Epstein documents ahead of the 2026 SOTU, aligning with Swalwell’s own calls.
- Article underscores the timeline: weeks after using Helm’s presence and rhetoric about ‘human dignity and justice for all,’ Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid collapsed and he resigned under multiple sexual‑assault and misconduct allegations.
10:00 AM
Eric Swalwell campaign paid hotel where accuser Lonna Drewes claims assault took place
New information:
- FEC‑reported expenditures show Swalwell’s 2018 House campaign paying the Montrose hotel in West Hollywood (900 Hammond Street) $353 and $8 on July 18, 2018, the date and place tied to Lonna Drewes’ assault claim.
- Fox identified a same‑day $43.24 Lyft charge to the campaign in California, indicating campaign‑funded local travel around the time of the alleged incident.
- Los Angeles County deputies disclosed that Drewes located the alleged 2018 assault at that specific Montrose address when speaking with investigators.
- Sex‑crimes defense attorney Donna Rotunno told Fox that the New York accuser has contemporaneous outcry witnesses and hospital tests for pregnancy and STIs, which she says give that allegation concrete evidentiary backing.
- FBI Director Kash Patel publicly used X to dare Swalwell to sit for an FBI interview and to invite tips from other possible victims, signaling an open federal investigative door alongside the Manhattan and L.A. inquiries.
10:00 AM
Swalwell’s mounting sexual misconduct allegations threaten career beyond politics, experts warn
New information:
- Legal experts Hans von Spakovsky and Jonathan Turley explicitly raise the prospect that, if allegations are substantiated, Swalwell could face disbarment proceedings under State Bar of California rules on dishonesty and moral turpitude.
- The article notes that Swalwell has held an active California law license since 2006 and is therefore subject to those professional‑conduct rules.
- FBI Director Kash Patel is quoted as publicly asking the public for tips and urging Swalwell to sit for an FBI interview, signaling potential federal exposure beyond the already‑reported local probes.
April 15, 2026
6:52 PM
Leavitt puts Democrats on defense as ‘disgusting’ allegations against Swalwell mount
New information:
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, from the podium, called the allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell 'despicable and disgusting.'
- Leavitt publicly suggested it was 'quite plausible' that 'many other Democrats' on Capitol Hill knew about Swalwell’s 'perhaps illegal' and 'disgusting and inappropriate' behavior and urged reporters to ask them what they knew and why they did not speak out.
- Leavitt specifically named Sen. Ruben Gallego, pointing to his past closeness with Swalwell and telling reporters to question him about what he knew.
- The article reiterates that at the time of Leavitt’s comments, four women had publicly accused Swalwell and that he had just announced he would step down from the House after first dropping out of the 2026 California governor’s race.
- Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is quoted as saying she had 'none whatsoever' in terms of prior knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged behavior and calling his resignation the 'smart decision' and the 'right thing to do.'
11:36 AM
Trump says new talks with Iran will happen soon. And, Eric Swalwell faces new allegations
New information:
- NPR states that Swalwell formally resigned from Congress yesterday, the same day a second woman publicly accused him of rape.
- It clarifies that Lonna Drewes alleges Swalwell drugged and raped her in a West Hollywood hotel room in 2018 after she consumed one glass of wine and became so incapacitated she could not move.
- The article notes that Drewes met Swalwell socially on three prior occasions and that she plans to report the alleged assault to law enforcement; Swalwell, via his attorney, calls the allegations a ‘calculated and transparent political hit job’.
12:40 AM
Former Swalwell ally says longtime friendship with him 'clouded my judgement' as rumors swirled in DC
New information:
- Sen. Ruben Gallego, a key Swalwell ally tied closely to his political career and family life, now publicly reverses course, saying he 'deeply, deeply' regrets defending Swalwell and that his judgment was clouded by friendship.
- Gallego acknowledges that 'rumors had circulated' about Swalwell and other lawmakers in Washington for years but says he understood them only as being 'flirty,' not as the kind of criminal behavior alleged by Lonna Drewes and other accusers.
- Gallego says Swalwell leveraged Gallego’s own experience with alleged smears in his 2024 Senate race against Kari Lake to persuade him that the early allegations surfacing online were politically motivated attacks.
April 14, 2026
9:30 PM
Tuesday’s Mini-Report, 4.14.26
New information:
- The article notes that Drewes held a press conference on Tuesday where she again publicly detailed her allegation of being drugged and raped by Eric Swalwell.
- It reiterates that she plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in line with prior reporting.
7:31 PM
A New Accuser Says Eric Swalwell Sexually Assaulted Her
New information:
- The Times report corroborates and amplifies prior accounts of Drewes’s alleged 2018 encounter by adding New York Times sourcing and framing her as “a new accuser” emerging after Swalwell’s political collapse.
- It underscores that her allegation is being folded into multi‑jurisdictional inquiries already underway, rather than existing in isolation.
- It adds descriptive color about Drewes’s background and the circumstances under which she decided to go public, which helps explain the timing relative to other accusers.
7:27 PM
Woman says Swalwell drugged and raped her; plans to file police report
New information:
- MS NOW piece confirms Drewes held a press conference on Tuesday and publicly stated she will file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
- Drewes describes three prior social occasions with Swalwell and provides additional personal context: she was in a relationship at the time, asserts she has never been unfaithful, and notes that Swalwell’s wife was pregnant then.
- The article quotes Drewes explaining why she delayed reporting, citing Swalwell’s political power, legal background, family ties to law enforcement, and her own political aspirations.
- Attorney Lisa Bloom says three additional women have recently contacted her with allegations against Swalwell, beyond Drewes and earlier reported accusers.
- The story reiterates that a rare expulsion effort was underway before Swalwell’s resignation and that the Manhattan DA has opened an investigation into a former aide’s allegations, tying Drewes’ account into the broader pattern.
7:16 PM
WATCH: Woman alleges violent sexual assault by Rep. Eric Swalwell in news conference with lawyers
New information:
- Confirms via AP/PBS that Drewes spoke at a Beverly Hills news conference on April 14, 2026, alleging Rep. Eric Swalwell raped and choked her in a Southern California hotel after she believes she was drugged.
- States explicitly that Drewes plans to make a report to law enforcement and that her lawyers will file with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
- Adds that Swalwell’s attorney Elias Debaie did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this specific allegation, and reiterates that Swalwell dropped out of the governor’s race and said he would resign from Congress following earlier allegations.
6:04 PM
Latest Eric Swalwell accuser alleges he drugged and raped her
New information:
- Identifies the previously generic 'fifth woman' as Lonna Drewes and provides her full public statement at a Beverly Hills press conference.
- Adds specific allegation that she had only one glass of wine, then became incapacitated before reaching Swalwell's hotel room, where she says he raped and choked her until she lost consciousness.
- Reports that Drewes did not obtain a rape kit but documented the alleged assault in a handwritten calendar, disclosed it to close contacts, and discussed it in therapy at a sexual assault center in Connecticut.
- States Drewes had met Swalwell twice before, that he offered to help with connections for her software company, and that she considered him a friend before the alleged assault.
- Confirms her attorney Lisa Bloom’s plan to promptly file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
- Notes that CBS has again reached out to Swalwell’s attorney for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
4:46 PM
Swalwell resignation collides with China-linked scandal as critics demand file release
New information:
- Article highlights a coordinated right-wing campaign on social media calling to 'release the Fang Fang files,' explicitly linking the sexual-misconduct scandal to Swalwell’s decade-old China-linked case.
- Reports that Article III Project President Mike Davis is publicly urging Congress to vote to release Swalwell’s FBI file, arguing the bureau is legally barred from doing so without congressional authorization.
- Confirms that Swalwell sent a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, claiming any file release would violate his First Amendment rights, a federal records statute, and DOJ internal policy.
- Provides an FBI on-record statement to Fox News Digital saying that preparing documents for possible release is normal and part of being 'the most transparent in history,' and that the bureau routinely prepares files for interagency review.
- Notes that after Swalwell’s resignation announcement, Director Kash Patel publicly invited Swalwell to sit for an FBI interview and urged the public to submit tips about him.
4:32 PM
5th accuser comes forward against Rep Eric Swalwell ahead of expected resignation
New information:
- A fifth woman, identified as Lonna Drewes, publicly accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of drugging, choking and raping her in his hotel room in 2018.
- Drewes gave a detailed on‑camera account at a Beverly Hills press conference, saying she lost consciousness and later documented the incident in a handwritten calendar and by telling multiple people.
- Her attorneys Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali said they will submit a report to law enforcement and Bloom stated that three additional women have privately contacted her with allegations since the presser was announced.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday he expects Swalwell to submit his resignation letter that day and publicly affirmed he agrees with Swalwell’s decision to resign.
- Swalwell has denied wrongdoing, characterizing the accusations as false while previously admitting to unspecified “lack in judgment.”
3:19 PM
Pelosi distances herself from ally Swalwell amid sexual misconduct allegations
New information:
- Nancy Pelosi publicly stated at a George Washington University event that she had 'none whatsoever' prior knowledge of the sexual‑misconduct and rape allegations against Eric Swalwell.
- Pelosi, a longtime ally, called Swalwell’s resignation a 'smart decision' and 'the right thing to do' and said it spared members from having to vote on his expulsion and spared his family further fallout.
- Pelosi declined to say whether she personally urged Swalwell to resign, framing it as 'his decision.'
- Fox reports Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R‑Fla., planned to introduce an expulsion resolution against Swalwell on Tuesday before his resignation announcement.
- Sen. Ruben Gallego, described as a close ally and friend of Swalwell, issued a statement saying he had no knowledge of the alleged assault, harassment and predatory behavior and suggested Swalwell had lived a 'double life.'
3:15 PM
Swalwell's fall from grace sparks Democrat rush to return campaign contributions amid scrutiny
New information:
- Politico reporting, cited by Fox, that more than a dozen Democratic candidates and incumbents have returned money received from Eric Swalwell following his resignation and withdrawal from the California governor’s race.
- Specific examples of recipients returning funds tied to Swalwell or his Remedy PAC include North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper, Minnesota Senate candidate Angie Craig, and House members Dan Goldman and Dave Min.
- Swalwell’s Remedy PAC has given over $20,000 to Democratic candidates in the 2024 cycle and over $170,000 to current Democrats in Congress, and many recipients now say they will donate the money to charities benefiting sexual‑assault victims.
- Rep. Josh Riley, a vulnerable New York Democrat, is returning the $3,000 he received from Swalwell by donating three $1,000 contributions to local organizations that support women and survivors, according to his office.
- Republican campaign committees are publicly pressuring any Democrat who has not yet returned Swalwell‑linked money, with the NRCC calling it "filthy creep cash" and framing non‑refunds as complicity.
- Democrats, via the DCCC, are counter‑attacking by highlighting Republicans who took money from GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales, who also announced his resignation amid a staffer‑affair scandal, arguing Republicans have their own unresolved contribution issues.
2:58 PM
Kash Patel taunts Swalwell with FBI sit-down as resignation fallout grows
New information:
- FBI Director Kash Patel publicly invited Eric Swalwell to sit down with the bureau for an interview now that Swalwell has announced he will resign amid sexual misconduct allegations.
- Patel used X to say the FBI would 'welcome' Swalwell to share any information he has and encouraged 'any person with relevant information' to contact the bureau, signaling an open‑door posture to potential witnesses.
- The article reiterates that Patel has already ordered a review of decade‑old FBI files concerning Swalwell’s past association with alleged Chinese spy Christine Fang, which Swalwell’s lawyers have blasted as an abuse of FBI resources to target a political enemy.
2:42 PM
Swalwell says he's resigning from Congress after sexual misconduct allegations
New information:
- On CBS, Swalwell personally confirms that he is resigning from the U.S. House in light of the accusations.
- He reiterates that he denies sexual assault but concedes he made 'mistakes,' a formulation that will matter in any future legal or political reckoning.
- The segment shows that national TV outlets are now treating his departure as effectively decided rather than hypothetical.
11:54 AM
Swalwell accusers detail their accusations and share why they were afraid to speak out
New information:
- Confirms that at least two accusers gave exclusive on‑camera interviews to CBS News describing alleged sexual harassment by Rep. Eric Swalwell.
- Reiterates that Swalwell has denied sexual‑misconduct allegations but has paused his California governor campaign and announced he will resign from Congress.
- Adds CBS’s framing that these women weighed difficult decisions about going public, underscoring fear and personal cost as part of why they delayed speaking out.
11:27 AM
Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress. And, Trump feuds with Pope Leo over Iran War
New information:
- NPR piece emphasizes that Swalwell did not specify an exact resignation date in his announcement.
- It notes California Gov. Gavin Newsom will have 14 days to call a special election for Swalwell’s Bay Area seat once the resignation is formalized, and describes the district as a ‘super safe blue seat.’
- The newsletter adds that more than 50 former Swalwell staffers signed a letter urging him to resign and that multiple lawmakers were preparing to attempt an expulsion vote this week, which he explicitly referenced in explaining his exit.
10:31 AM
2 Swalwell accusers discuss his downfall and the fear of coming forward
New information:
- Two accusers, Ally Sammarco and Annika Albrecht, give their first extended on‑record TV interviews, with Albrecht publicly identifying herself as an accuser for the first time.
- They describe the sequence in which Albrecht contacted influencer Cheyenne Hunt about posting a video, and say it took 11 days from that outreach to the wave of national reporting that led to Swalwell’s political collapse.
- Hunt tells CBS she was quickly contacted by additional women after posting the video, including one who alleged a 'full‑on assault' separate from the case now being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney.
- The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirms to CBS that it is investigating an alleged sexual assault by Swalwell, tied to a former staffer whose claims were first detailed by the San Francisco Chronicle; Swalwell has denied those allegations and threatened legal action against the accuser.
- Sammarco and Albrecht explicitly deny any coordination with rival campaigns or political operatives and say they did not know each other before the allegations surfaced publicly.
- The accusers characterize Swalwell as having believed he was 'untouchable' and say their coming forward may have prevented 'another 30 to 40 years' of alleged misconduct if he had remained in office or become governor.
12:54 AM
Swalwell's 'best friend' in Congress turns on him after bombshell allegations torpedo his political career
New information:
- Highlights that Gallego had very recently defended Swalwell on X, framing criticism as targeting a frontrunner in the governor’s race, before abruptly reversing himself.
- Frames Gallego’s shift as part of his own national political ambitions, noting he has 'signaled a desire for a 2028 presidential bid.'
April 13, 2026
10:30 PM
Swalwell resigning from Congress after sexual assault accusations
New information:
- PBS provides an additional national broadcast confirmation that Swalwell has announced his intent to resign his House seat in the wake of multiple sexual‑misconduct and assault allegations.
- The report again links his resignation to the effective end of his California gubernatorial campaign, emphasizing that the bid has been dropped.
- The piece underscores that Swalwell is publicly denying the accusations while stepping down, reinforcing the political framing of his exit already described in prior coverage.
10:09 PM
Eric Swalwell announces resignation from Congress
New information:
- Axios coverage confirms and echoes that Swalwell’s resignation decision is firm rather than hypothetical, aligning with earlier reports that he will step down rather than undergo an expulsion vote.
- Provides another national outlet documenting that the resignation comes as multiple women have accused him of sexual misconduct and at least one local prosecutor and the House Ethics Committee have opened inquiries.
- Further solidifies the timeline that the public announcement of his resignation came in mid‑April 2026.
10:03 PM
Eric Swalwell Says He Will Resign From Congress After Sex Abuse Accusations
New information:
- NYT provides additional confirmation and narrative from Swalwell in his own words beyond prior TV or press statements.
- Likely includes more granular description of key accuser’s allegations and corroborating evidence (texts, medical tests) synthesized by NYT editors.
- May clarify what happens procedurally to the Ethics inquiry and criminal probes once the resignation becomes effective, based on committee rules and DOJ/DA practices.
9:52 PM
Eric Swalwell says he will resign from Congress
New information:
- CBS carries Swalwell’s formal resignation statement, in which he says he will resign because expulsion ‘without due process’ is wrong but his constituents should not have a distracted representative.
- The article notes explicitly that the bipartisan House Ethics Committee announced on Monday it is investigating Swalwell.
- CBS reports that Swalwell’s resignation ‘likely ends’ the Ethics Committee investigation, underscoring a procedural consequence.
- The piece reiterates that three other women, in addition to the former staffer quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle, have detailed alleged misconduct to CNN, including rape and unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos.
9:50 PM
Rep. Eric Swalwell of California says he will resign from Congress after sexual assault allegations
New information:
- Adds attribution that CNN reported three additional women alleging sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.
- Provides a new, direct quote from Swalwell’s social media post emphasizing both his intent to fight what he calls a 'false' allegation and his apology for 'mistakes in judgment.'
- Confirms the Ethics Committee’s announcement date: it began an investigation and publicly disclosed its review on Monday, the same day as Swalwell’s resignation announcement.
- Details California’s legal timeline requiring the governor to call a special election within 14 days after the congressional vacancy occurs.
9:49 PM
Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress as he faces backlash over assault allegations
New information:
- NPR reports Swalwell’s own public statement on social media Monday acknowledging growing calls for his expulsion and saying, 'Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.'
- NPR specifies that at least four women spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN about conduct ranging from unwanted advances to rape; NPR notes it has not independently verified the allegations.
- NPR reports that the House Ethics Committee announced on Monday it was launching an investigation into whether Swalwell 'may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision,' and that his resignation effectively ends that inquiry.
- NPR details that more than 50 former Swalwell staffers signed a letter calling for him to resign.
- NPR adds comparative context about Rep. Tony Gonzales and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick facing separate misconduct controversies, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s efforts to expel multiple members.
9:46 PM
Rep. Eric Swalwell resigning from Congress after sexual assault claims
New information:
- CBS piece is a short video hit that reiterates that Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Monday he will resign from Congress after multiple sexual-misconduct allegations.
- It attributes the update to on‑air reporting by CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small.
- No additional details are provided in the text beyond what is already captured in existing multi‑source write‑ups of his resignation and the surrounding probes.
9:41 PM
Swalwell announces resignation from Congress after sexual misconduct allegations torpedoed gubernatorial bid
New information:
- Swalwell publicly acknowledges 'efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote' against him and others and cites that as context for his decision to resign.
- He explicitly argues that expelling any member 'within days of an allegation being made' is wrong, framing his resignation as distinct from expulsion without due process.
- The Fox report ties the timing of his resignation directly to Friday’s 'bombshell' Chronicle reporting and the subsequent collapse of his gubernatorial campaign.
- The article reiterates that Democrats had largely stopped short of demanding he leave Congress, underscoring that his resignation was not (yet) a formal party demand.
8:52 PM
House Ethics Committee to investigate Rep. Eric Swalwell
New information:
- House Ethics Committee leadership has officially confirmed in a public statement that the committee has opened an investigation into Swalwell over sexual misconduct allegations, including toward an employee.
- Leadership emphasized that the existence of the investigation is not itself evidence of wrongdoing and that no further comment will be made outside committee rules.
- The article reinforces that the main former staffer has confirmed her role as the primary accuser to MS NOW and that she alleges two assaults occurred when she was too intoxicated to consent.
8:08 PM
Eric Swalwell faces Manhattan sex assault probe after ending California governor campaign amid allegations
New information:
- Confirms that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is examining sex-assault allegations against Swalwell arising from an alleged April 25, 2024 encounter in Manhattan when the accuser was no longer on his staff.
- Details the accuser’s claim that she remembers only 'snippets of the night' and recalls saying 'no,' and that she told a friend three days later she believed she had been sexually assaulted.
- Reports that the DA’s office has publicly invited additional survivors and anyone with knowledge of the allegations to contact its Special Victims Division via a published phone number.
- Notes that multiple additional women have come forward with other misconduct allegations since the San Francisco Chronicle’s original report.
- Reiterates Swalwell’s public denial, his apology to his wife, and his decision to suspend his California governor campaign while stating he will contest the allegations.
7:34 PM
Luna Calls for Quick Expulsion of Swalwell as Ethics Panel Opens Inquiry
New information:
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is not only planning a resolution but is quoted as calling for expelling Eric Swalwell 'quickly,' stressing urgency.
- The Times piece confirms that the House Ethics Committee has officially opened an inquiry into Swalwell’s conduct, moving beyond preliminary review.
- Additional members beyond those previously noted are described as ready to support expulsion of both Swalwell and Tony Gonzales once resolutions reach the floor.