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California Congressman Eric Swalwell has announced his decision to step down from his position in Congress.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Swalwell expressed regret, stating, “I sincerely apologize to my family, staff, and constituents for the lapses in judgment I have made in the past. While I intend to contest the serious and unfounded allegation against me, I must also acknowledge and take responsibility for my actual mistakes.”
Swalwell highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting, “I am aware of the moves to initiate an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, so soon after an allegation surfaces, is unjust. However, it is equally unfair for my constituents to have a representative who is distracted from their duties. Consequently, I have decided to resign from my congressional seat.”
He assured his constituents, saying, “In the coming days, I will coordinate with my staff to ensure they remain equipped to address the needs of the residents of the 14th congressional district in my absence.”
Swalwell’s resignation follows the announcement of a new probe on Capitol Hill after facing fresh allegations of ‘sexual misconduct.’
The Ethics Committee opened an investigation into the top Democrat earlier on Monday, and pledged to ‘gather additional information regarding the allegations that Representative Eric Swalwell violated the Code of Official Conduct.’Â
The complaint states the investigation covers ‘allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.’
The Committee also added ‘that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.’
Eric Swalwell appears at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, California on April 7
Ally Sammarco previously worked for Swalwell, and has accused him of improper sexual conduct
Eric Swalwell and his wife Brittany Watts attend a gala in 2022
Swalwell dropped his bid for California Governor over the weekend after a woman claimed she had sexual encounters with him while he was her boss.
She alleged that the married Swalwell raped her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent in 2019 and 2024. She is one of the four women who have made allegations against the Democrat.
Swalwell announced he was suspending his campaign and is ‘deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.’
‘I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.’
Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales are both being targeted following disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct with past subordinates.
Gonzales abandoned his congressional reelection bid last month amid pressure over an alleged affair with a subordinate who killed herself.
Eric Swalwell speaks during the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco on February 21st
A view of the U.S. Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, April 13
Both men were pressured into their career-ending actions by leaders within their own political parties.
Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida noted on X Monday afternoon that she is ‘being told there will be more disgusting stuff coming out on Swalwell in the next 24 hours.’
‘For the members of Congress who are concerned about optics on expelling Swalwell, I think after the information drops you will be thinking otherwise. Eric, why don’t you tell us a little about who was filming the video of the female sex worker,’ she added.
A video of Swalwell and a woman in a bed made the rounds on X Monday, and at least two other individuals appeared to be present at the time. Swalwell is married to his wife of nine years, Brittany Watts, and is a father of three young children.
Luna and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico are both calling for Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or face an expulsion vote from their colleagues.
But they could also be axed alongside Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills, both Florida Representatives.
Cherfilus-McCormick was found guilty by a House Ethics panel last month of numerous violations of House rules and ethics standards, including the alleged theft of $5 million in taxpayer funds.