Eric Swalwell dramatically announced he was resigning from Congress on Monday just hours before a bombshell press conference from one of his alleged victims.
The married former California governor hopeful again defiantly shot down the sexual assault and rape claims against him — but said he felt it was right to step aside amid the chaos.
Congress erupted at the update, with Florida Rep Anna Paulina Luna claiming “more disgusting stuff coming” that she argued could send him to jail.
Swalwell’s statement, which extinguishes the final flame in his rollercoaster political career, came just hours after the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into the allegations against him, which will now be scrapped when he officially resigns.
The fallout has also embroiled Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales, who is under fire over sexual advances towards an aide who later committed suicide, as he suddenly said he will retire from Congress.
Swalwell said Monday: “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.
Here’s the latest on the allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell
“I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.
“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. 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. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
He did not specify when he would officially step down, but said he will work with his team to handover responsibilities over the next two weeks.
Swalwell has been accused by four women of lewd sexual acts such as sending nudes, harassing and turning up outside one woman’s home.
One of the alleged victims claimed he raped her in a hotel in New York City in 2024, sparking an investigation from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
On Tuesday morning a woman who claims she is a victim of his will hold a blockbuster press conference in Beverly Hills to outline her allegations against the congressman.
The media event featuring the new accuser will take place at 9;30am PT, according to the women’s high-profile lawyer Lisa Bloom.
Bloom is an attorney who has built a career around defending women’s rights and victims of sexual assault.
She has represented the likes of actress Janice Dickinson who claimed Bill Cosby raped her in 1982, as well as a handful of Jeffrey Epstein victims.
She also comes from legal pedigree. Her mother is famed attorney Gloria Allred who has defended various individuals claiming to be sexual assault victims of Sean Diddy Combs.
Fudali is a partner and managing attorney at the Bloom firm, who has represented 11 Epstein accusers.
Both Bloom and Fudali are known for having dramatic press conferences with victims and leveraging the media for exposure.
Florida Rep. Luna was quick to leap on Swalwell’s resignation message, suggesting more accusations will soon emerge and even claiming they could put him behind bars.
She said: “Don’t you dare say there weren’t grounds for your expulsion because there absolutely were. He made the correct decision, but there still needs to be a full-fledged criminal investigation. Based on what I’m hearing, he may go to jail.”
The Republican firebrand did not stop there, adding: “I am being told there will be more disgusting stuff coming out.”
Earlier Monday the House Ethics Committee launched a probe into the accusations of sexual misconduct leveled at Swalwell.
The panel said: “The Committee … has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations that Representative Eric Swalwell violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law with respect to allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.”
But when he officially announces he will resign, this will be dropped because the committee only has jurisdiction over current members.
Swalwell will first have to submit a letter to the House speaker or clerk announcing he is no longer a congressman, which could come as early as Tuesday when the House reconvenes.
A Congressional Research Service report says: “Regardless of the potential offense, a Member’s departure from the House ends a case, as the committee does not have jurisdiction over former Members.”
Swalwell’s reputation has fallen off a cliff since the four women came forward last Friday with the heinous claims, forcing the 45-year-old father of three to suspend his run for governor on Sunday.
The most serious allegation included claims he raped a woman while she was intoxicated and left her bruised and bleeding.
Other former female subordinates accused Swalwell of sending them explicit photos on Snapchat, while one woman alleged she woke up next to him in a hotel room after a drunken night out after he kissed her and touched her leg without her consent the previous evening.
Prior to the allegations, Swalwell had been the top-polling Democrat ahead of the Golden State’s June 2 open primary.
Katie Porter, who was caught on camera berating staffers and allegedly dumped scalding mashed potatoes on her then-husband, and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer are now the top Democrat favorites to succeed term-limited Gavin Newsom.
