Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Monday he will resign from Congress, stepping away after mounting pressure from lawmakers across party lines over sexual assault and misconduct allegations that upended his California governor campaign this past weekend.
The California Democrat posted his decision on X, citing the distraction to his constituents and acknowledging that expulsion efforts were underway. "I plan to resign my seat in Congress," Swalwell wrote, though he did not specify a departure date. He said he would coordinate with staff to maintain constituent services through the transition.
Swalwell's statement struck a contradictory tone. He apologized to his family, staff, and constituents for "mistakes in judgment" but insisted some allegations were fabricated. "I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I did make," he wrote.
The resignation came one day after Swalwell suspended his bid for governor and the same day the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into his conduct. That probe will now dissolve since the committee only investigates sitting members.
Multiple women accused Swalwell in recent reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. One former staffer alleged he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. Two others said he sent them unsolicited explicit images. A fourth woman claimed he kissed her without permission in public. NBC News confirmed one woman's account but has not independently verified the others.
His attorneys have been aggressive. A cease-and-desist letter obtained by NBC News was sent to one accuser. On Monday, lawyers for another woman announced she would hold a press conference Tuesday in Los Angeles to discuss "next legal steps" on allegations not yet made public.
The Manhattan district attorney's office also opened an investigation into one sexual assault allegation that occurred in New York.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., had been organizing an expulsion motion. Support grew even among Swalwell's allies, including his close friend Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who led his 2020 presidential campaign. Gallego posted on X moments before the resignation that Swalwell was "no longer fit" for Congress.
Swalwell has served in the House since 2013. The resignation is not final until he submits a letter to the Speaker, which the House clerk will read on the floor when the chamber convenes. The House returns Tuesday at noon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom will determine whether a special election occurs before November midterms under state law.
The resignation also removes the Ethics Committee investigation entirely, a procedural advantage for Swalwell as he fights the allegations in other legal venues.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Swalwell's sudden exit from a governor race and now Congress shows how swiftly political careers can crater when multiple accusers surface simultaneously."
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