Eric Swalwell officially resigned from Congress Tuesday, shortly after one of his alleged victim’s came forward to accuse of him of rape in Los Angeles amid a series of sexual misconduct claims against the disgraced ex-politician.
Swalwell had his resignation read on the House floor Tuesday as Congress returned to Washington, DC, following a two-week recess.
The married former California governor hopeful has shot down allegations of sexual assault and rape against him — but had said he felt it was right to step aside amid the scandal.
Swalwell remained defiant on Tuesday, with a letter from his lawyer calling the claims “false, fabricated, and deeply offensive.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna threatened to file an expulsion resolution against Swalwell if he didn’t resign by 2 p.m. ET Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, the congresswoman said that “that Swalwell has begun the internal process of switching his staff over to the Clerk of the House.”
Around the same time on Tuesday, alleged Swalwell victim Lonna Drewes, 50, held a press conference in Beverly Hills claiming he drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2018.
She tearfully described how the congressman allegedly spiked her drink before choking and sexually assaulting her in West Hollywood.
Swalwell was about to be subjected to a House Ethics Committee investigation, which could have dug up more information on his past.
Rumors began swirling last week about the congressman’s possible improper behavior with women, claims he initially said had zero truth..
All of that changed on Friday, when CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle reported in detail accusations from four women.
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One former staffer alleged he raped her in a hotel in New York City in 2024, sparking an investigation from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. He’s also accused of lewd sexual acts such as sending nudes, harassing and turning up outside one woman’s home.
That same day, the disgraced congressman in a video insisted allegations were still false but admitted lapses in judgment, saying “those mistakes are between me and my wife and to her I apologize deeply.”
The statement, however, did not calm the nerves of his supporters. Reaction was brutally swift. Key allies, including his “best friend” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), abandoned him. Major organizations withdrew endorsements and financial efforts. Political powerhouses like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on him to drop out.
Current and former staffers issued damning letters against Swalwell, indicating he had very little support even within his own staff.
On Sunday, Swalwell suspended his campaign for the governor’s race. Then on Monday, he said he would resign from Congress.
Swalwell’s troubles may not be ending any time soon. In addition to the investigation by the Manhattan DA, another accuser announced “legal steps” in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.
On social media, more and more past material on Swalwell begin to surface. Some, including Luna, hinted at more shocking news that would come out on him.
“He made the correct decision, but there still needs to be a full-fledged criminal investigation. Based on what I’m hearing, he may go to jail,” she said.
