The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into whether Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sexually abused a staffer under his supervision, the panel announced Monday (April 13).
The move comes just a day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after allegations emerged, which he denies.
The committee emphasized that the investigation itself does not indicate wrongdoing.
“The mere fact that it is investigating these allegations … does not in itself indicate that there has been any violation,” the panel said.
The campaign collapsed after the allegations surfaced
Swalwell withdrew from the governor’s race amid allegations, including allegations of sexual assault.
He emphatically denied the accusation.
“I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but that is my fight, not the campaign’s,” Swalwell said in a social media post.
Growing bipartisan call for resignation
Pressure is mounting from lawmakers in both parties, with some calling for Swalwell to resign from Congress.
Discussions have also begun about a possible vote in the House to expel him, although no formal action has been scheduled.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, said both Swalwell and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales should resign.
“I think it’s very important that we believe in women,” she said on NBC’s Meet The Press. “And that we will show people in the Capitol and across the country that we will not accept this kind of behavior.”
Exclusion push enters debate in Congress
Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna said she plans to file a motion to oust Swalwell, which could spark a Democratic counter-effort.
Florida Republican Byron Donalds said he would support the exclusion if such a vote reaches the House.
“These things are totally unacceptable,” Donalds said. “Both gentlemen must go home.
The allegations were detailed in media reports
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the woman accused Swalwell of sexual assault in 2019 and again in 2024, including incidents while she was working for him.
The report said that on both occasions she described being intoxicated and unable to give consent and did not report the allegations to police for fear she would not be believed.
The newspaper also said it reviewed text messages and spoke with individuals to whom she confided.
