California Democrat Eric Swalwell said he will resign from Congress after a wave of sexual misconduct allegations triggered growing political pressure, an ethics inquiry on Capitol Hill, and a separate criminal investigation in Manhattan. Swalwell said he intends to fight what he described as the most serious false accusation against him, while also acknowledging what he called past errors in judgment.
The resignation followed allegations from four women, including claims ranging from harassment and inappropriate conduct to sexual assault. Reuters reported that Swalwell’s departure came as bipartisan calls for accountability intensified and the House Ethics Committee opened a formal review of his conduct. A Manhattan prosecutor is also investigating one of the allegations.
In his resignation statement, Swalwell said he did not believe lawmakers should remove a member without due process so soon after accusations emerge. At the same time, he said it would be unfair to his district for him to remain distracted by the controversy, framing his resignation as a decision to prevent further disruption to his work on behalf of constituents.
The scandal had already upended his political ambitions in California. Swalwell had recently withdrawn from the state’s governor’s race after the allegations surfaced, losing support from key backers and seeing campaign staff departures as the fallout widened. His exit reshapes a closely watched Democratic contest in a state where the open primary system can create unpredictable outcomes.
The crisis expanded further when Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who is facing a separate ethics controversy, also said he would leave Congress. His announcement came shortly after Swalwell’s, adding to a turbulent moment for the House as lawmakers returned from recess under pressure to address misconduct allegations involving members from both parties.
Swalwell’s departure marks a dramatic fall for a lawmaker who had built a high national profile through his attacks on Donald Trump and his role in major Democratic fights in Washington. Now, instead of campaigning for higher office, he leaves Congress under intense scrutiny, with investigators and political leaders still weighing the full consequences of the allegations against him.
