Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., announced Monday that he plans to resign from Congress following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct that sparked calls for his removal from both sides of the aisle. In a post on X, Swalwell said he was aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against him and other members, calling such expunctions without due process 'wrong.' He stated that his constituents should not have a distracted representative, and therefore he would resign from his seat representing California's 14th congressional district.
The California Democrat did not specify an exact date for his departure, saying only that he would work with staff to ensure they can continue serving constituents. The announcement came one day after Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor and on the same day the House Ethics Committee said it was launching a formal investigation into the allegations against him.
Some members of Congress have been leading a push to expel Swalwell and three other lawmakers facing misconduct allegations, including Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who has faced his own separate accusations.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Republicans have been among those calling for Swalwell's immediate expulsion, with some arguing that the allegations alone warranted removal without waiting for a full ethics investigation. House Republican leaders have not officially endorsed expulsion but have called for a thorough and swift investigation into the claims.
House GOP leadership did not immediately comment on Swalwell's resignation announcement. Some conservative commentators argued that his departure was long overdue and reflected broader concerns about ethical standards in Congress. 'This is what accountability looks like,' said one conservative radio host. 'When you can't defend yourself, you shouldn't be in office.'
The push to expel Swalwell has been part of a broader Republican effort to highlight what they call Democratic Party hypocrisy on issues of misconduct, particularly after some Republicans facing similar allegations have been held to account.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and liberal advocacy groups have largely welcomed Swalwell's decision to step down, though some expressed concern about the process. The Congressional Progressive Caucus has not issued a public statement, but several progressive lawmakers privately acknowledged that the allegations, if true, were incompatible with serving in Congress. Some Democratic activists argued that while Swalwell made the right choice to resign, the broader issue of misconduct in Congress requires systemic reform.
Several progressive commentators noted that Swalwell's resignation came amid a larger conversation about accountability in the Democratic Party. 'No one should be above scrutiny, and leaders must be held to the highest standards,' wrote one progressive commentator on social media. Others pointed to the need for stronger workplace protections in Congress as the root cause of many misconduct allegations.
What the Numbers Show
The House Ethics Committee confirmed it has opened a formal investigation into Swalwell's conduct. This marks one of several ethics probes currently underway in the House, as the committee is also investigating separate allegations against Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas.
Gonzales admitted last month to having an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide. A second former staffer told NBC News that Gonzales had sent her sexually explicit text messages when she worked for him. The Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Gonzales following these reports, and Gonzales ended his re-election bid soon after the allegations became public.
The House prohibits lawmakers from engaging in sexual relationships with their staff under workplace rules. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote of the full House and has been rare in modern congressional history, with only five members ever expelled.
The Bottom Line
Swalwell's decision to resign marks a significant moment in what has become an ongoing reckoning over misconduct allegations in Congress. While he maintains that expulsion without due process is wrong, his decision to step aside ensures constituents will not be represented by a distracted office during what would likely be an extended ethics process. The House Ethics Committee's investigation will continue, and its findings could inform future policy changes regarding workplace conduct rules. What remains clear is that both parties are under increased scrutiny to address allegations of misconduct among their members, and the political calculus around such accusations continues to evolve.