Rep. Eric Swalwell of California and Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas both stepped down from Congress on Tuesday, each fleeing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct before their colleagues could vote to expel them. The dual resignations marked a striking moment of political reckoning, closing ethics inquiries that had threatened both lawmakers' careers within days of each other.
Swalwell, a Democrat who had been eyeing California's governorship, announced his departure after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published detailed accounts of sexual misconduct spanning years. One woman alleged he assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent, and that the misconduct occurred while she worked for him. Three other accusers spoke to news outlets about similar experiences. Swalwell's lawyer, Sara Azari, issued a blanket denial, calling the allegations "false, fabricated, and deeply offensive" and describing them as "a calculated and transparent political hit job." The congressman previously acknowledged making "mistakes" but rejected assault claims.
The Manhattan district attorney has opened an investigation into Swalwell focused on an alleged assault in New York. On Tuesday, another woman came forward with an allegation that he drugged, raped, and choked her in a California hotel in 2018, with her lawyers indicating a report to law enforcement would follow the same day.
Gonzales, a Texas Republican elected in 2020, faced separate but equally serious allegations. In September, one of his staffers, Regina Santos-Aviles, died by suicide. Subsequent reporting revealed that Gonzales had sent her sexually explicit messages and admitted to having an affair with her while she remained his subordinate. A second former staffer told NBC News he had also sent her sexually explicit messages and repeatedly solicited nude photos. Initially planning not to seek re-election, Gonzales reversed course and announced his early departure after Swalwell's scandal exploded into public view.
Swalwell's resignation took effect at 2 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday. Gonzales' departure becomes official at 11:59 p.m. the same day. Both actions halted the Ethics Committee's investigations into them, since the panel loses jurisdiction over former members. Law enforcement agencies can continue their own probes independently.
The departures shift the House math slightly. Republicans hold a 216-213 majority, a number that will reach 217-213 later Tuesday when Clay Fuller of Georgia is sworn in to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised both men for resigning, saying they "made the right decision" given the "terrible allegations" and the facts both had acknowledged. Johnson indicated the chamber's focus will now turn to alleged misconduct by two other members: Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida and Republican Cory Mills, also of Florida.
A special bipartisan Ethics subcommittee found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of 25 violations related to allegations she diverted millions in federal relief funds to her congressional campaign. She has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty in a related criminal case. Johnson said he believes expelling her will be the "consensus" position in the House. The Ethics Committee is scheduled to announce recommended sanctions for Cherfilus-McCormick on April 21, after which the full House could vote. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority, a threshold rarely met but achieved in late 2023 when the chamber ousted Republican George Santos, R-N.Y., by a vote of 311-114.
Mills faces investigation on multiple fronts, including financial and sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied. Johnson said he was uncertain about the status of that investigation and planned to look into it.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Swalwell "made the right decision" and declined to say whether he had pressured the congressman to resign, citing the privacy of their conversations. On Cherfilus-McCormick's potential expulsion, Jeffries said he would address that "subsequent to the Ethics Committee recommendation."
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Two members fleeing rather than facing their peers is a stunning indictment of congressional culture, but the real test comes next with what the House does about the Florida cases still pending."
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