Calls for Eric Swalwell’s Expulsion Grow in Washington
In Washington, prominent House Democrats are facing pressure regarding California Representative Eric Swalwell, who is engulfed in sexual misconduct allegations. Many are contemplating the possibility of expelling him from Congress.
Following the emergence of these serious accusations, Democratic leaders swiftly encouraged Swalwell, a 45-year-old married father of three, to withdraw from his gubernatorial campaign in California, which he did late Sunday.
However, they have yet to fully support calls for his resignation from the House.
It’s a complicated situation. A House Democratic staffer mentioned to the Post that while there have been whispers about Swalwell’s behavior, nothing quite like this has surfaced before. The public mood seems to be one of frustration and disappointment.
Yet, there’s a notable reluctance to act decisively without a thorough examination through the ethics process, despite the growing impatience over how slowly things are moving.
Recent reports highlight multiple women accusing Swalwell of sexual misconduct. One allegation comes from a former colleague who states he assaulted her while intoxicated, resulting in visible injuries. These incidents, reportedly occurring in New York in 2024, are now under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
In response, Swalwell has expressed regret over “past errors in judgment,” all while asserting his commitment to combat what he calls “materially false allegations.”
Meanwhile, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, alongside Minority Leader Katherine Clark and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, has been tight-lipped about the prospect of expulsion for Swalwell.
Historically, only six members have faced expulsion in the House’s long history, with the most recent being former Republican Representative George Santos in 2023.
Currently, there’s a discussion about Swalwell’s potential expulsion alongside several other members, including Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) and Sheila Cherfils McCormick (D-N.J.), who have drawn scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee for various reasons.
The Ethics Commission has announced that an investigation into Swalwell’s situation is underway.
Some bipartisan voices are championing a “clean sweep” of the House, particularly targeting Swalwell and Gonzalez. González himself faces serious accusations of sexual misconduct along with claims of an attempted suicide by arson.
So far, neither Jeffries nor other key Democratic leaders have responded to inquiries about their stance on the expulsion issue. In a previous joint statement, Jeffries and others had called for a swift investigation into the allegations and urged Swalwell to suspend his campaign.
In that context, they deemed the situation “unacceptable” for someone in public office and acknowledged the bravery of the women who have come forward.
Nancy Pelosi, also a prominent California representative, has similarly maintained silence about the potential for Swalwell’s ouster.
The accusations against Swalwell include claims from at least four women alleging inappropriate sexual behavior. One former staff member described an unsettling experience where Swalwell kissed her without consent after a night out and she later found herself in a hotel room with him.
Reports also allege that he sent sexually explicit images via Snapchat.
Prior to these revelations, Swalwell was also facing scrutiny over past interactions with a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang. A Democratic aide hinted that it’s likely Swalwell will either resign or be expelled within a week.
