Congressional Controversy
The California representative has been accused by at least five women of sexual misconduct and assault. He denies the allegations
Eric Swalwell resigned from his seat in Congress Tuesday after multiple women, including at least one woman who had worked under the California representative, accused him of sexual misconduct and assault.
The 45-year-old, who already suspended his campaign for governor of California, apologized to his “family, staff, and constituents for mistakes and judgment I’ve made in my past” but denied the accusations against him.
“I will fight the serious false allegations made against me,” Swalwell wrote in a letter that was read aloud on the House floor. “However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make. I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members, 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.”
Swalwell’s resignation comes hours after accuser Lonna Drewes held a press conference in Los Angeles and claimed Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018. “I did not consent to any sexual activity,” she said.
Drewes is among at least five women who have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and assault. Over the past week, the women have detailed their allegations to CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. “I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” a former staffer told CNN, claiming Swalwell had assaulted her twice, once in 2019 and another time in 2024.
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales also resigned from his seat on Tuesday, following an ethics investigation that found he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
