California Congressman Ro Khanna has publicly declared that supporters and financial backers of fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell must have been aware of his alleged sexual misconduct with subordinates. This statement comes as Swalwell, aged 45, resigned from Congress and withdrew from the California gubernatorial race this week following serious accusations of rape and sexual assault.
Multiple Accusations Surface Against Former Congressman
At least five women have come forward with allegations against Swalwell, with some claiming the former Congressman raped them. Among the accusers is Lonna Drewes, who alleges that Swalwell drugged and date-raped her in 2018. These disturbing claims have triggered criminal investigations by both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, though Swalwell continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Khanna's Revelations About Swalwell's Behavior
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Khanna revealed that while he had heard rumors about Swalwell's "womanizing," he was unaware of the full extent of the misconduct. "I had no idea about the extent of it, that he actually was having totally inappropriate relationships with subordinates, which is against the rules, and that he was engaged in alleged date rape and rape," Khanna stated. He described the revelations as "sickening and shocking" and expressed relief that Swalwell has left Congress.
Despite Swalwell's friends and confidants claiming ignorance, Khanna remains skeptical. "I find it hard to believe that all these years people were close to him, or endorsing him or supporting him, that no one heard about some of this," he argued. Khanna emphasized that if he had known about the misconduct, he would have reported it immediately, distinguishing between private affairs and abuse of power.
Distinguishing Between Private Life and Abuse of Power
Khanna clarified his position, stating, "There's a very big difference between someone's private life and someone abusing power. What Swalwell did was not engage in affairs. What Swalwell did is abuse power with his own staff and potentially rape folks." He added that while he doesn't see himself as the "morality police" for extramarital affairs, he believes it is his duty to speak up against staff abuse or sexual assault.
Questions Surrounding Swalwell's Close Associates
Suspicions have also been directed at Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a close friend of Swalwell who chaired his failed 2020 presidential campaign. Critics question what Gallego knew about the allegations and when. Gallego has denied any knowledge, stating, "I never saw him engage in any of the predatory behavior, harassment, sexual assault." However, he acknowledged hearing rumors in Washington, D.C., about Swalwell for many years.
Swalwell's Response and Apology
While rejecting the allegations, Swalwell admitted to making "mistakes in judgment" and issued an apology to his wife, Brittany Watts. This admission has done little to quell the controversy, as multiple investigations proceed and public scrutiny intensifies.
Calls for Cultural Change in Congress
Khanna highlighted that the Swalwell scandal underscores the need for cultural reform within Congress. "This shows that the culture needs to change in the Congress, that there needs to be stricter rules for reporting when staff members are abused," he asserted. When questioned about his own conduct with women throughout his career, Khanna responded unequivocally, "Yes, of course," affirming his commitment to fair and respectful treatment.
The unfolding scandal continues to reverberate through political circles, raising critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the protection of staff in governmental institutions.
