Allegations Against Eric Swalwell Lead to Friend’s Regret
One of Eric Swalwell’s close friends, Sen. Ruben Gallego from Arizona, expressed that their friendship may have compromised his ability to judge the former representative’s character amidst longstanding rumors about his behavior in Washington, D.C.
“Eric Swalwell lied to all of us,” Gallego stated during an unplanned news conference in his office. He pointed out that Swalwell deceived trusted individuals in powerful positions, serving on important committees such as Judiciary and Intelligence, as well as during the impeachment process of Donald Trump.
“My judgment was clouded by our friendship,” he added. “I regret that deeply.”
This comes after Swalwell, who has served for 13 years, faces serious allegations of sexual assault.
Things took a surprising turn for Gallego, given their close-knit relationship. Just days ago, he was publicly defending Swalwell against misconduct claims, a decision he now wishes he could take back.
The two shared common experiences—sending their kids to baseball camps, babysitting one another’s children, and Gallego even took on a leadership role in Swalwell’s failed 2020 presidential campaign. However, after a shocking report emerged in the San Francisco Chronicle detailing allegations of sexual assault against Swalwell by a former staffer, the support from Gallego and others quickly vanished.
In the aftermath of the report, multiple individuals have come forward, alleging sexual misconduct or assault by Swalwell. Gallego expressed his sorrow for the alleged victims, placing the responsibility on Swalwell while maintaining he was unaware of any wrongdoing. He acknowledged that rumors about Swalwell have circulated among lawmakers for years.
When asked to describe the nature of these rumors, Gallego mentioned that Swalwell’s behavior was somewhat flirtatious, yet insisted it did not align with the serious allegations that ultimately derailed Swalwell’s gubernatorial aspirations and congressional career. He remarked that he did not think Swalwell was active enough to cause such turmoil without feeling guilty afterwards.
Gallego reflected that when allegations first surfaced during Swalwell’s run for governor, Swalwell manipulated him into viewing it as a smear campaign, somewhat akin to the one aimed at him during his Senate race.
“He was very skilled as a predator,” Gallego said, noting that Swalwell had become adept at deceiving those around him. “He preyed on women in various situations, and he became good at lying—to us, his family, and the community.”
After officially resigning from Congress on Tuesday, Swalwell is now facing expulsion and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee concerning his alleged misconduct. While he apologized to his family and constituents, he firmly pushed back against the accusations.
In his resignation letter, Swalwell stated, “I will fight the materially false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I made.”
