Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Eric Swalwell of California and Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas, submitted their resignations on Tuesday amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, intensifying bipartisan calls for accountability within Congress.
Swalwell, a seven-term congressman first elected in 2012, stepped down at 2 p.m. Eastern Time following reports that an unnamed former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions. Additional allegations surfaced from three other women who claimed Swalwell sent unwanted sexual messages. These revelations abruptly ended his campaign to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom. The House Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation, but Swalwell maintained his innocence, describing the accusations as false and politically motivated. California’s 14th congressional district seat will be filled through a special election scheduled for August 18, Governor Newsom announced.
Shortly after Swalwell’s resignation, Gonzales, who was first elected in 2020, announced his departure effective just before midnight. Gonzales had faced scrutiny following his admission of an affair with an aide who subsequently died by suicide. Although he had declared he would not seek re-election, pressure increased after Swalwell’s case added to heightened concerns over misconduct among lawmakers. Both Democrats and Republicans expressed frustration over what they described as a pattern of abuse and betrayal of public trust. Representative Nydia Velázquez stated that Congress should not tolerate officials who misuse their positions, and Republican Nancy Mace, a sexual assault survivor, referred to the issue as a “predator problem” within the institution.
At a press conference in Beverly Hills, Lisa Bloom, attorney for one of Swalwell’s accusers, criticized the congressman’s resignation, suggesting it was an attempt to avoid an impending expulsion hearing. She emphasized that once Swalwell resigned, the Ethics Committee would lose jurisdiction to impose disciplinary measures. The accuser, Lonna Drewes, indicated plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Swalwell’s lawyer, Sara Azari, issued a statement firmly denying all allegations, calling them fabricated and offensive, and characterizing the accusations as a politically motivated effort to damage Swalwell’s long-standing public service career.
Beyond Swalwell and Gonzales, other members of Congress are also under scrutiny. Representatives Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, face ethics investigations, with discussions underway about possible expulsion. Expulsions in the House are rare; the last member removed was George Santos in 2023, who faced criticism for misrepresenting his qualifications and later pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges before receiving a presidential commutation.
The recent resignations underscore heightened bipartisan tensions over misconduct allegations, reflecting growing demands for ethical enforcement and greater accountability among elected officials.