Washington D.C. – Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) resigned from Congress on April 13, 2026, following a week of escalating sexual assault accusations that prompted widespread calls for his immediate departure. The resignation came days after reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed multiple allegations against the congressman, leading to an Ethics Committee investigation. Swalwell, who had recently suspended his campaign for California governor, acknowledged "mistakes in judgment" but continued to deny the sexual assault claims.
The controversy intensified rapidly, with the initial reports surfacing early in the week of April 7. By April 13, the House Ethics Committee had officially launched an investigation into the allegations. Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) spearheaded efforts to strip Swalwell's congressional pension, reflecting a bipartisan push for accountability in the wake of the accusations.
Swalwell's resignation statement, issued on April 13, indicated his awareness of efforts to force an immediate expulsion vote. He stated, "Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties." This sentiment was echoed by others, including Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), who had also called for his resignation.
The departure of Rep. Swalwell, alongside other recent resignations like that of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) due to ethics concerns, highlights a turbulent period for a narrowly divided Congress. The spate of alleged misconduct has brought increased scrutiny to how the institution addresses such accusations. The ongoing developments underscore a broader public demand for transparency and integrity from elected officials.
