After former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., attempted to draw attention to victims of sexual abuse by inviting Epstein survivors to the State of the Union earlier this year, his political aspirations took a nosedive following allegations from multiple women accusing him of sexual assault.
Swalwell had expressed his commitment to attending the State of the Union, saying, “Like every American, I want the president to do his job. I invited Teresa Helm to be my guest because she has been waiting for justice for more than 20 years.” He praised Helm’s bravery in exposing Epstein’s actions, insisting that both she and other survivors deserved answers from the president.
However, shortly after making headlines for his advocacy, Swalwell abruptly canceled his campaign for governor and resigned from his U.S. House seat over the misconduct allegations.
Astonishingly, a recent CNN and San Francisco Chronicle report outlined accusations from several women regarding Swalwell’s behavior. These included claims of pursuing intoxicated women, pressuring female employees into intimate situations, and soliciting explicit images.
Swalwell’s office did not provide a response to inquiries regarding the allegations. Teresa Helm, who is the Survivor Services Coordinator at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), works with survivors of abuse to ensure accountability for those who profit from or facilitate exploitation.
Before the State of the Union, Helm, a survivor of Epstein’s sex trafficking, had lobbied for the release of Epstein’s case files, highlighting that “human dignity and justice for all” were essential.
Epstein was a notorious financier who mingled with influential figures like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, and he died in prison in 2019 while facing charges related to sex trafficking of minors, leaving many wondering if he exploited his connections for illegal encounters.
Both Swalwell and other lawmakers had urged the Justice Department to make public the documents from the Epstein investigation. Helm echoed this call to action.
In an earlier statement, Helm emphasized the importance of working together to foster change, stating that it was both an honor and a mission for her to attend the 2026 State of the Union.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Helm regarding these developments.
