Eric Swalwell To Resign From Congress Over Sexual Misconduct Scandal

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is resigning from Congress amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including an active sexual assault investigation in New York City.

Swalwell faced mounting calls for his resignation and the possibility of expulsion. The House Ethics Committee launched a probe into his behavior on Monday afternoon.

“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” he said.

“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 added.

“Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress. I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”

Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race on Sunday night, after losing nearly all of his endorsements.

“I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” Swalwell wrote in a post from his campaign account at the time.

The allegations of misconduct initially started as social media rumors throughout last week, then hitting a breaking point when the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets released stories of women who were alleged victims of Swalwell’s misconduct.

Prior to dropping out of the governor’s race, multiple polls indicated that he was the leading Democrat in the top-two primary race. Once the allegations surfaced,  Swalwell lost nearly all of his major endorsements, ranging from Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to major labor groups.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) initially defended the California lawmaker against the early social media rumors, but then retracted his endorsement and called for Swalwell’s expulsion on Monday.

“I support the ethics committee’s investigation and believe Eric Swalwell is no longer fit to be a Member of Congress. He should be expelled from Congress,” the senator said. “I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell.

“I trusted someone who I believed was a friend, but it is now clear that he is not the person I thought I knew. The women who have come forward have shown courage. They deserve to be believed, to be supported, and to see justice served,” he added.

There was an effort underway Monday to get him expelled from the chamber, which would have made him one of only six members of Congress ever to be removed if it passed with a 2/3 majority vote.

This is a developing story, refresh the page for updates.