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House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced criticism on Friday after urging Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to withdraw from the California governor’s race without calling for his resignation from Congress, despite serious sexual misconduct allegations.
In a statement from Jeffries and the House Democratic leadership, they expressed concern over the “disturbing sexual assault accusations” against Swalwell. They demanded a prompt investigation and urged him to “immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor.”
The statement emphasized that such behavior is “unacceptable for anyone—especially an elected official” and stressed the need for serious attention, yet it did not include a call for Swalwell to resign from his congressional seat.
The allegations emerged from a former congressional staffer who accused Swalwell, the leading Democratic candidate in the California gubernatorial race, of sexually assaulting her on two occasions when she was unable to consent due to intoxication.
Additionally, CNN reported that several other women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of unwanted touching and unsolicited nude photos involving Swalwell.
Jeffries’ statement was met with outrage on social media.
“What an unprincipled, meaningless statement,” former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer wrote on X. “If they thought Swalwell did wrong, they should call on him to resign.”
“If Democrats say [Swalwell] is too toxic to run for office, how is he not too toxic to currently occupy his office?” Mike Davis, the founder of judicial advocacy group Article III Project, wondered.
In a post directed at Jeffries, conservative podcaster Graham Allen fumed, “YOU ARE A COWARD.”
“MAKE HIM RESIGN…” Allen demanded.
Brett Tolman, a former US attorney and the head of nonprofit group Right On Crime, described the Democratic leader’s statement as “downright comical.”
“Get out of the Governor race but you can stay in congress #SortaMeToo,” Tolman quipped.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called on Swalwell to resign and argued Democrats should do the same.
“Idk in what parallel universe we are living in that elected members of congress begin to [choose] politics and party BS over basic human dignity,” Luna wrote on X. “I have called for Republican members to do the same when they are caught doing corrupt and morally bankrupt crap.
“Dem leadership needs to do the same.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) announced that she would be introducing a privileged resolution on the House floor next to censure Swalwell.
“This behavior is disgusting and unbecoming of a Member of Congress.” Boebert raged. “It’s past time to answer for your actions you disgusting pervert.”
Swalwell, a married father of three children, has denied the allegations.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” he said in a statement to CNN.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” the congressman added. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
“My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
He also issued a video statement denying the allegations Friday evening, while also apologizing to his wife Brittany Watts, saying he’s made “mistakes in judgment in my past.”
“But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position,” he said.