US Congressmen Swalwell and Gonzales Resign Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell and Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales have submitted their resignations to the House of Representatives, abruptly ending their political careers. This move follows bipartisan furor over allegations of sexual misconduct against both lawmakers, which prompted threats of expulsion resolutions from colleagues across the aisle.
Timing and Context of the Resignations
Swalwell resigned at 2pm ET on Tuesday, while Gonzales's resignation will take effect at 11.59pm the same evening, according to the House clerk. Their departures came after lawmakers from both parties threatened to introduce resolutions expelling the men, arguing that the allegations made them ineligible to continue serving in Congress.
A seven-term representative first elected in 2012, Swalwell was the Democratic frontrunner to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California. However, his campaign was derailed after the San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that an unnamed former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions. CNN later published a similar account, along with allegations from three other women who claimed the congressman sent them unwanted sexual messages.
Fallout and Reactions
Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor, and the House ethics committee opened an investigation, even as he vowed to "fight the serious false allegation made against me." On Monday, he announced his resignation from Congress. Following this, Newsom announced that a special election to fill California's now-vacant 14th congressional district seat would take place on 18 August.
Gonzales, a Texas Republican first elected in 2020, has faced weeks of calls to resign after admitting to an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Although he had announced he would not run for re-election, pressure for him to leave immediately mounted in the wake of the revelations against Swalwell. This reignited long-simmering concerns about inappropriate behavior by members of Congress.
Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office, said Democratic US Representative Nydia Velázquez on X. Republican Nancy Mace, a sexual assault survivor, added, "Congress has a predator problem." Gonzales announced his resignation less than an hour after Swalwell's announcement.
Legal and Ethical Implications
At a press conference in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, the lawyer for a woman who accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her in a West Hollywood hotel stated that the California lawmaker's resignation fell short of accountability. Lisa Bloom suggested Swalwell resigned to "avoid the expulsion hearing that was coming," noting that once he steps down, the ethics committee loses jurisdiction to impose consequences.
The accuser, Lonna Drewes, plans to file a police report through her lawyers with the Los Angeles county sheriff's office. In response, Sara Azari, an attorney for Swalwell, issued a statement denying the allegations: "Congressman Eric Swalwell categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him. These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive – a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent 20 years in public service."
Broader Congressional Scrutiny
In addition to Swalwell and Gonzales, House lawmakers have discussed voting to expel Cory Mills, a Florida Republican accused of misconduct and ethical lapses. They have also proposed ousting Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, a Democratic representative indicted on charges of funneling millions of dollars in federal money from her company to her campaign. Both are under investigation by the ethics committee.
Expulsion votes are rare in the House of Representatives. Only six House members have ever been expelled, with the most recent being George Santos, whose lies about his qualifications prompted lawmakers to remove him in 2023. Santos later pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges, before Donald Trump commuted his prison sentence last year.
This incident highlights ongoing issues of accountability and ethics in US politics, as bipartisan calls for reform grow louder amid public frustration over misconduct allegations.
