Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on September 08, 2025.
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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has announced his resignation from Congress amidst mounting allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Swalwell addressed the situation on social media Monday, recognizing the increasing pressure from lawmakers for his expulsion from the House of Representatives.
“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,” Swalwell stated.
His decision to resign follows his announcement just a day earlier that he was suspending his campaign for governor of California. This marks a significant political setback for the seven-term Democrat, who was considered a leading candidate in the gubernatorial race.
Swalwell, 45, has faced controversy since last week when rumors emerged online about his alleged history of abusive behavior toward women. By Friday, the situation intensified as at least four women shared their experiences with the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, detailing incidents ranging from unwanted advances to allegations of rape.
Although NPR has not independently verified these allegations, Swalwell has vehemently denied them, promising to defend himself.
“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he expressed in a post on Sunday while announcing the suspension of his gubernatorial campaign. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
Swalwell did not specify when his resignation would take effect. Once it does, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to call a special election to fill the vacancy. The Bay Area seat is in a securely Democratic district where Kamala Harris won over President Trump in 2024 by 35 points.
Democratic leaders were quick to denounce Swalwell as the allegations surfaced. Top campaign supporters withdrew their support, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
More than 50 former staff members of Swalwell urged him to resign, while top Democrats in the House called for a “swift investigation.”
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced it was initiating an investigation into whether Swalwell “may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee under his supervision.”
His resignation effectively puts an end to that investigation.
The scandal has reignited discussions in Congress on how to address allegations of misconduct by lawmakers. Even before the Swalwell allegations, there was pressure on Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, to resign due to allegations of a past affair with a staff member who later died by suicide.
Gonzales admitted to the affair in March and subsequently ended his reelection campaign, although he did not immediately resign. Following Swalwell’s resignation announcement, Gonzales announced on social media that he planned to retire from Congress on Tuesday.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has spearheaded efforts to expel both members. She has also sought the removal of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted last year on charges of misappropriating $5 million in federal disaster funds. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied these allegations.
“I don’t care what the party affiliation is, if they are corrupt and engaging in illegal activity in Congress I’m going to vote to expel them,” Luna wrote. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning.”
